40 day journey with Martin Luther: Day 8 What is Sabbath?

"We are to fear and love God, so that we do not despise preaching or God's Word, but instead keep that Word holy and gladly hear and learn it." --Martin Luther

It was hard to reconcile Luther's words on the Third Commandment with what I had learned. I must admit that I have spent much more of my theology study time with Walter Brueggemann than with Luther. Brueggemann says that church people expel too much energy about what Sabbath means for the life of the Church and what the church is doing. That is not what Sabbath is about at all. Sabbath is means simply this, "stop working."

Luther is not afraid to interpret, so I don't fault him for making a statement about preaching and listening/reading God's Word (on the Sabbath or other times). However, I'm not persuaded by Luther's statement connecting Sabbath and God's Word. I think he writes out of a Christendom perspective and raises Christendom to the level of a commandment. I would think that Luther's interpretation of the Third Commandment might go better with the First Commandment. I'm not sure.

"Stop working" is actually one of the harder commandments to follow for me, because I believe my work is so important to the family, the congregation, and the world, that the world might fall apart if I stop working. I think God's Word works in tandem with stop working, because if I actually stop working, then the Word of God bubbles up in my consciousness.

I'm sticking with Brueggemann that Sabbath is not about church, but work stoppage. But I do think that God's Word can work in tandem with Sabbath, though not its intent. How's that for sitting on the fence? I think Brueggemann would go so far as to say Luther is wrong. Egad, a Lutheran even entertaining that idea on the Commandments??? Call me a false teacher...

Journal Reflection:

Reflect on the Sundays of your childhood.

Once my family actually started going to church when I was 9, it was definitely a discipline. I couldn't really get out of church. We attended, we sat in the front. We went to Sunday School or Confirmation. We stopped by the grocery store afterward, bought milk and a newspaper. Sometimes we would go to my Gram's house for dinner, and occasionally hop on a ferry to visit my Grandma on Whidbey Island. It was a day to visit with family. There were days I had soccer games or baseball games on Sundays, and I wore my uniform to church, but I was not going to miss a worship service. My parents were strict about that.

40 day Journey with Martin Luther (Augsburg Books) Day 6: Using God's Name

"...we are commanded to use [God's name]...to use it in the service of truth and of all that is good--for example...when we call on God's name in time of need, or thank and praise him in time of prosperity, etc." --Martin Luther

I should have expected that any book dedicated to 40 days of Luther would have catechism in it. Sometimes I hope to get into something of Luther's writing that I haven't read, but this path is fine. What I have always appreciated about Luther is that he makes the commandments not merely about a list of prohibitions, but also about living out the commandment in a positive way. For the second commandment, I learn that a Christian life is not merely about what I don't say, but what I say. I call upon God in a time of need and that I give thanks as well. This is a call to use God's name, but by all means, use it with integrity and with faithfulness to the relationship.

Journal reflection:

Are asking, thanking and praising God daily "spiritual habits" for you?

I feel this is a growing area for me, as in, I am actually improving. The struggle right now is modeling this for my children. Our family life is too scattered right now to properly model spiritual habits for our children. The next step is to read Bible stories with them, and add a spiritual practice that reflects joy. We have a habit singing Jesus loves me before bed and making the sign of the cross on their forehead and saying, "Jesus loves you, and so do I." I want to add another practice during this time of discipline.

40 day Journey with Martin Luther (Augsburg Books) Day 6: a god and the God

"...it is the trust and faith of the heart alone that make both God and an idol...Any thing on which your heart relies and depends, I say, that is really your God." Martin Luther

The catechism teaching of the First Commandment was an a-ha moment for me, because I recall thinking that it was the easiest commandment to keep. I thought, I don't go to a church that worships another god. I don't say prayers to another god. No problem. Luther taught me the question, "on which does your heart rely and depend?" This is a different perspective, getting to the heart of the First Commandment. Luther thought the First was the hardest to keep, not the easiest. He believed that there is no such thing as an atheist, because every heart has something upon which they trust and rely. For me, this can even be more nuanced. I can't say that my heart continually trusts and relies on something other or someone else than God. I am a person of some fleeting loyalties. I have made vows to serve my wife, children, and God. Do I truly trust God to address the challenges of all these vows? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Sometimes I use television to "medicate" and help me forget the problems of the day. Sometimes I pray. Sometimes I eat something. Sometimes I go for a run. How does God want me to respond to the challenges and pains of the day? Maybe that is a good question to ask.

Journal reflections:

How do I experience my relationship with God at this time?

The fact that I am actually answering this question means that I am in a "better" place with God than I usually I am. As previously written, I have an evolving relationship with the concept of discipline. Being more disciplined doesn't make my faith necessarily better. However, I find that when I am disciplined in nurturing my faith life, I am better equipped to address adversity and live a life of service that to which God has called me. Discipline is also fleeting for me. I remember while serving my internship, I was going through all kinds of personal and spiritual struggles. I read the Bible and prayed every day. Some days, it was the only way I was going to get through the day. I can't say I was a better Christian on those days, in fact, I look back on those days and think that my actions and words were terrible. But I did see God in the midst of those trials because of my discipline--and it allowed me to see grace when it is most tempting to beat myself up. This is one of the reasons that evil/devil/satan has the name "accuser--" the voice inside that reminds me of all the things I have done wrong. My life of faith is more disciplined these days, and that is a good thing, but discipline doesn't make me a better follower of Christ.

On "Tough Texts" of the Old Testament: The Relationship Between Job, Eddie Murphy, Dan Akroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis

Old Testament theologian Diane Jacobson of Luther Seminary inspired me to preach a sermon series on "tough texts of the Old Testament." She was a favorite professor of mine at Luther. I loved the questions that she asked and she taught me an important distinction in reading the Bible. In our class discussions one distinction almost always drove class discussion: "Is it prescriptive or descriptive?" Is this passage describing a situation? Or is this passage telling us what to do?

Dr. Jacobson came to the Southwestern Washington Synod in January for Bishop's Convocation. I told her I was going to preach a sermon series on some of these texts, and she was a bit startled. One thing I appreciate at First Lutheran Community Church is that a space has been created to explore the depths of the Bible because previous pastors have put aside the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). Though some of the texts during this series come from the RCL, we can take these challenging texts, put them side by side, and have them work with us and learn something about what they say about the God we follow.

Last Sunday, we took a look at Job. I was taught that Job was a comforting book in my youth, and I took that statement at face value. Once I actually studied the book, I became disturbed by some of the things that happen, mainly that God and Satan make a bet about Job, with Job's life hanging in the balance, and that Job suffers a great deal because of this bet. A few people in the congregation reminded me of the Dan Akroyd, Eddie Murphy and Jamie Lee Curtis movie Trading Places a story where lives that are put on the stage for a bet between two wealthy brothers (I really love how some people were thinking movies when we talked about Job!). I remember the first time I saw this film as a teenager and my indignation over humans being manipulated for sport. There is a some justice in the movie because the wealthy brothers become the targets for revenge. Not so with God and Satan--it doesn't seem to matter in the end that Job's life is used for sport and suffers a great deal. Does Job receive an appropriate test for his faith, or is he abused?

Another one of my professors, Dr. Terrence Fretheim, told one of my classes that Job was a theological construct by the authors to offer a counter testimony to Deuteronomistic theology that essentially states that if you do the right things, then good things will happen. Brueggemann states that Israel was well aware that they did not live in such a neat and tidy world, and appeared to be able to live in a certain degree of paradox. It is a good thing to follow the laws and statutes of God, but that sometimes doing the right things doesn't necessarily produce a good result. The manner in which this is done in Job is quite disturbing, and I can't say that I find it all that comforting.

I took an informal poll after Sunday's sermon out of Job--were people disturbed by Job, or did they take comfort in Job? I found that between 3/4ths and 7/8ths of people in the congregation were comforted by Job. I honestly don't know what to make of it. What I observed was that at the very least, people in the congregation were deeply reflecting about the presence of God in the midst of suffering, and that Job was a powerful example. I don't have anything against the character of Job, but the exchange between God and Satan. I don't have a problem that Satan is an agent of Job, but their sporting bet over Job's life. It makes me wonder about how we humans do this kind of sporting bet with other forms of life. The obvious one is that humans place bets on horses and dogs in races for fun and sport. How do we do it in other ways?

This question brings us back to Dr. Jacobson's question, "Is it (the passage) descriptive or prescriptive?" I'm leaning toward descriptive. Though I can see that many people find comfort in Job's response of faith to disaster in his life, I think the story may describe the greatness of God by challenging our stereotypes. I'm not sure if the intent of the passage is to hold up the virtue of Job, but the limits of human theologies. It takes a startling exchange between God and Satan to see how limiting theology can be.

40 day journey with Martin Luther: Day 5 "True" Prayer

"God...wants you to lament and express your needs and concerns...in order that you may kindle your heart to stronger and greater desires and open and spread your apron wide to receive many things." --Martin Luther

I am culturally conditioned regarding the word "true." Often it is used to set someone over and above someone else, such as someone is a "true fan" if they do such and such a thing. Or a "true Christian" is someone who ascribes to particular doctrine or dogma. Luther appears to depict true prayer as someone who prays in earnest and with discipline. Earnest seems helpful on this occasion because method is left open and therefore examining self before prayer for intent becomes important.

Journal reflection:

"When do you feel closest to God?"

I feel closest to God in movement. It can be running, walking, driving. More of my senses are engaged--the beauty of surroundings, the sound of my breath and possibly music, the sound of animal life, human life and wind. Sometimes I smell something baking, the evergreens or the damp air. In a moving car I feel peace as the rubber rolls along the pavement. The car movement is calming and engages my brain in a powerful way. In these movements my brain engages in keeping balance, but after awhile my prayer directs me toward the important things of the day. Giving thanks helps me keep focused on the important things.

"Describe a time when your "whole heart" was at prayer. What feelings were evoked in you?"

My prayers for "whole heart" prayer don't seem all that focused. It usually comes in a time of distress. When things aren't right with my wife or daughters--illness or danger. My attention toward them and to God are in deep earnestness. If I'm thinking and praying about them, does that make it a whole heart prayer? Is prayer about focus, or earnestness? I don't know. But there is a feeling of total dependence. Maybe that is whole heart prayer.

40 day journey with Martin Luther: Day 4 The Garland of Prayer

"[on prayer with the commandments, using the image of a 4-strand garland "The Garland of Prayer"]I think of each commandment as, first, instruction...and consider what the Lord God demands of me so earnestly. Second, I turn it into a thanksgiving; third, a confession; and fourth, a prayer." --Martin Luther

Journal Reflection:

Why not try the garland of prayer?

I must admit, I am resistant to trying a prayer "technique." It feels a bit contrived, sort of like the Father Weejus prayers. However, any prayer can be contrived if it's not from the heart. For Luther, it seems that praying the commandments helped him recognize that the contrivance was his, and not God's. That prayer, instruction and confession and joy are worthy pursuits. For being a great theologian, Luther was also one who made prayer not merely a discipline for discipline's sake, but a dynamic discipline that reflected his own desire to connect with a merciful God. I think my resistance to praying in this way may have more to do with the daunting nature of this prayer. Praying all of the Ten Commandments with a garland of prayer? My patience, my work ethic, and the exposing nature of confession is painful. Today I did a garland of prayer with one commandment. We'll see where this goes. But it was definitely thought-provoking.

I have had other "techniques" of prayer with longevity, but they were all in partnership with colleagues and friends: lectio divina and the Lambeth Bible study. I suppose it could take root in a small group. I know a pastor who makes something like this part of every worship service.

Bishop coming for a visit: remembering connections

I do not have a deep ministry pedigree. Sometimes when I attend Lutheran events, I see pastors who are from families of long lines of pastors. That pastor could be 3rd, 4th or 5th generation clergy. The pastors that they know have similar backgrounds--and they are connected through historic Christian institutions--colleges, seminaries, congregations, synods can sometimes see long lines of relatives and friends. This is pedigree. It seems to be destiny as much as call that ministry is continued and celebrated.

I do not have this ministry pedigree. I know it doesn't matter to God that I am not from a long line of pastors. I am confident in my calling, even though I'm not necessarily sure where God wants me to be or what God wants me to do. I generally trust that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing during any period of time, and that God will provoke my own spirit when the time comes to search. Not having a ministry pedigree, however, makes me wonder about my place sometimes. How does God work in the midst of bureaucracy and pedigree? I do not know, only that I trust that God can work in any situation.

Next Sunday, Bishop Rob Hofstad from the Southwestern Washington Synod will come and preach at First Lutheran Community Church. Bishop Hofstad is one of the few people in ministry where I can make the statement "we go way back." Pedigree allows this kind of statement on a regular basis. Bishop Hofstad was my pastor during the four years I lived in Olympia, Washington (at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd), before I went off to college in the Midwest. We've kept some communication over the years as I moved toward and established my work in ordained ministry in the ELCA all over the Midwest. Bishop Hofstad is a gentle, balanced and wise soul. He is joyful, but not gregarious. He holds a deep faith and holds the faith of others in high esteem and care. I invited him to come preach at FLCC for a couple of reasons--one is selfish, the other is idealistic and helpful. The selfish reason is that after 20 years in the Midwest, I have returned to my land of origin. Bishop Hofstad shared the Gospel in a way that had an impact on me and in some way helped prepared me for what I am doing now, and he has offered encouragement on the way. To share worship with him in a congregation I serve feels like a milestone, or even coming full circle to a degree. It will be my extra pleasure to be in worship next Sunday.

The idealistic and helpful reason for Bishop Hofstad to join us is that it is deeply important that First Lutheran Community Church remember its connections with our Lutheran Christian sisters and brothers across the Southwestern Washington Synod and the rest of the ELCA and world. I am reminded of the importance of recognizing our connections as Bishop Hofstad is returning to Washington after nearly three weeks in Europe on an ecumenical delegation, meeting with various world Christian leaders, including Pope Benedict in Vatican City. Bishop Hofstad is not any more important than any one else in our portion of the Body of Christ, he only serves a particular calling. To me, Bishop Hofstad serves as a reminder of the meaning of our sisters and brothers in Christ--that we are called to encourage one another, offer our ideas and resources to one another, and build one another up. Bishop Hofstad doesn't have the all the answers to make those connections, yet he serves as a reminder of our particular callings from God in the world and that we are in this service to God and neighbor together.

40 day Journey with Martin Luther (Augsburg Books) Day 3: Listening in Prayer

"If such an abundance of good thoughts comes to us we ought to disregard the other petitions, make room for such thoughts, listen in silence, and under no circumstances obstruct them. The Holy Spirit himself preaches here, and one word of his sermon is far better than a thousand of our prayers." -Martin Luther

"...they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts..." from Acts 2. How often do I eat a meal with a glad and generous heart? I think my food is only nutritious when I eat with others (especially at home) and eat it with a glad and generous heart. This is a good piece of scripture for me today.

Question for reflection:

Reflect on times when you have simply been silent during your devotions?

A time of simple silence is a devotional rarity to me. I suppose I should create that space more often--but the fact that I am even in a space for prayer is an accomplishment. Now that I have kept up a discipline for several days (both morning prayer and devotions) I have grown. The point when I have space for true silence and listening in prayer will be another growth step--but not right now. The only place I have ever encountered long silence and prayer is on a long drive or walking a labyrinth for a ministry retreat. This prayer is bountiful, and it takes at least 30 minutes to get in a space of true listening. I define true listening as an emptying out of my thoughts--thinking through all of the things that I think are important at that given time. Thirty minutes is the minimum, but it can take several hours. This is why a long drive, a change in perspective, and the emptying of my thoughts becomes a time when the Holy Spirit enters in and the Holy Spirit preaches to me. This can take place as many as 4 separate occurrences on a solo drive from 12-48 hours of driving. The labyrinth is also a good way to empty thoughts and focus on the preaching of the Spirit--I'm not sure why this kind of walking works, but it does--the weaving path, full of surprises and guidance leading to a center of prayer and listening.

Through this writing I have realized I have not done this kind of prayer in several months. It was actually during last Holy Week when I drove through the Western Dakotas. I must make it a goal to visit a labyrinth or go on a long drive during this Lenten season.

40 day Journey with Martin Luther (Augsburg Books) Day 2: Prayer without ceasing

"Guard yourself carefully against those false, deluding ideas which tell you, 'Wait a little while. I will pray in an hour; first I must attend to this or that.' Such thoughts get you away from prayer into other affairs which so hold your attention and involve you that nothing comes of prayer for that day..." --Martin Luther

Reflections for the day:

Reflect on any difficulties you may have had in the past in keeping a regular schedule of prayer. See whether you can detect "false, deluding ideas" that have kept you from keeping a schedule.

I have come to believe in a schedule of prayer, and this schedule has come from life experience. My experience has told me that if I do not run and pray in the morning, I'm more than likely not going to do it at all. Sometimes I do both together. It took many years of living a Christian life before I realized that this is not the only way to pray. I've had a few teachers and spiritual directors guide me on a path to prayer that in tune with the natural rhythms of my life, but also stretches me. My prayers are much more engaged in movement or in music. But I still need the foundation in the morning. Though I may not sit down with a Bible for prayer/meditation/study I use music and movement to lift my prayers to God and thank God for engaging me and listening, as is promised. My prayer life has become much more vibrant rather than guilt-ridden in this practice.

Reflect on how it makes you feel to know that the saints in heaven and on earth are praying with you (and you are praying with them).

When I was a student at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN, I would periodically receive addressed envelopes with blank thank you cards inside. It was my job periodically to send a thank you to a donor to Luther Seminary, a donor whose generosity and stewardship helped provide me a theological education. It was this practice that began for me an understanding of the saints and my participation with them in the body of Christ in prayer and action. This is not to say the saints haven't been active throughout my life, it was then that I learned about the "cloud of witnesses" that have done things in their lives that have passed on love and faith to me--though they did not even know me. A big part of prayer for me is saying thank you for the saints who have provided much for me over the years, and I hope that I can be a saint for others on their pilgrimage in life.

40 day Journey with Martin Luther (Augsburg Books) Day 1: Discipline and the Chrisitan Life

On Sunday, February 7, my own sermon reached me, as I preached on the disciplined Christian life compared to the disciplined life of an athlete in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. It was during my own sermon that had an epiphany about the concept of discipline. I haven't had a bad relationship with discipline in my life, but I have questioned its application. I led a disciplined life as a baseball player for several years and as a student in college (at least most of my last 2 years in college). That discipline reflected choice on my part. I also cringe at the concept of discipline because it is often used as a guise for abusive and controlling behavior by a person of power. I am also in the midst of a learning process about the relationship between discipline and parenting. I am thankful that my parents stuck to their values and gave discipline in a way that inspired growth in me. My parents were not and are not infallible, but they raised me in a way that I am able to respect boundaries and understand those boundaries as a blessing and opportunity for growth.

Discipline is an important concept for a Christian, particularly in the 40 days of Lent. Lent is a time to cultivate the life of faith in Christ so that that life can bear fruit in one's own life and in serving the neighbor. Cultivation takes discipline. What has tormented me about Lent in my 12 years as a pastor is that discipline has been forced on me to the extent that I have taken on the disciplines of a particular congregation. These disciplines are not of my own choosing. Not to mention gearing up for two sets of sermons and worship services in a week is draining and exhausting. I find myself getting cranky and irritable during the time before Easter that was originally designed to prepare and welcome new converts to faith in Christ. I desire for Lent to be an opportunity for people rather than a burden. But then again, discipline is not easy. Forty days is not a random choice of number, but reminiscent of a period of testing and reflection, as with Jesus or Noah. If we move easily toward discipline, that might also be a little dangerous. Discipline has to be related to a goal, and the goal is to live joyously in Jesus Christ. Learning, connecting, praying, and serving.

My discipline for this Lenten season is approached with some trepidation. First, I don't like the word journey. I find it an overused word that has lost its meaning, and even sounds a little flaky. Second, Lent makes me a little cranky. Third, I'm still sorting out my relationship with discipline.

I chose the aforementioned book because I'm always curious about what it means to be a Lutheran Christian in these days when denominational affiliations are so fluid. I don't have the answers about what it means to be Lutheran, and I am highly suspicious of people who proclaim to be resolutely certain about Lutheran Christian identity. I have made vows in the Lutheran Christian tradition in my ordination, and I can also learn from Luther as an influential person in world history, a faithful (but by no means perfect), Christian, and a wise theologian/biblical scholar.

You are invited to join me in reading the Augsburg Books "40-Day Journey With Martin Luther" and joining in the discussion of reflections for journal writing. It is part of my discipline to pray, reflect and learn from and with a great teacher. Discipline is intended to be an opportunity, not a burden. Discipline is challenging, yet applied faithfully can reap a great harvest.

Questions for day 1:

Describe your present practice of prayer:

My most present effective method of prayer is setting aside a time during morning exercise. It's about the only time I have where I do not experience an interruption. Movement inspires blood flow, which not only relaxes me, but also gives my brain the blood and oxygen it needs for thought. I give thanks for God's work in the world and in my life. I give thanks for particular people in my life. I ask for guidance for the day and the days ahead. I pray for people who are hurting. I ask for forgiveness. I sometimes listen to music when I do this, most recently, I have Taize music on my iPod. After a time of prayer during running or walking, then I shuffle the music and see what prayerful thoughts arise.

What do I want to learn about the life of faith as I begin these 40 days?

I want to learn more about the faith of the person whose life and work was foundational for the tradition to which I ascribe. I am not looking to duplicate Luther's practices or faith necessarily, but I do want to spend time with him as a teacher of the faith. I hope to have my faith challenged. In all of this discipline activity that I may see the love, mercy and work of God in Christ.

Today, the writing from Luther implicitly speaking of discipline as dodging distractions, for they make us joyless in prayer. The biblical reference has some warrior imagery (Ephesians 6:17), that makes me cringe. However, the point is not to go to war literally, but have perseverance in dodging distractions that take the joy out of a relationship with God.

The Effective Foundation of Interim Ministry Through Agreements

One of the reasons interim/transitional ministry can be effective is because of the contract/agreement that is made between an interim pastor and the congregation. Boundaries are important in any healthy relationship. Currently as your interim pastor, we have a set of boundaries that comprise an agreement between First Lutheran Community Church and me.

The boundaries for interim ministry work on different levels. The first level of agreement is a level of trust between the Southwestern Washington Synod of the ELCA and its interim pastors. Interim pastors provide ground level pastoral, theological and leadership support to congregations who are making a transition between their former pastor and the newly called pastor. As the word "synod" literally means "journey together," the Southwestern Washington Synod places trust in both an interim pastor and congregation to navigate the challenging waters between pastors. It doesn't mean congregations are incapable of making a transition, but it does affirm that at our best, we work together to serve God and others in any circumstance, and that includes during a pastor transition.

On another level, the specific agreement between interim pastor and congregation is set up so that the interim pastor is able to offer candid observation about a congregation so that the congregation may make a more faithful discernment about its mission and ministry. Candid observation and unique action is supported in agreements between interim pastors and congregations through statements in the agreement that the interim pastor will not be a candidate to be the congregationally-called pastor. This agreement creates space for candid observation and unique action in that the interim pastor is not serving in an extended interview with the congregation, and therefore can act in a way that is not muted for fear of not being a candidate for the pastoral opening, or fear of dismissal.

On yet another level, interim pastors in the Southwestern Washington Synod work together to help any congregation in the synod make a faithful transition between pastorates. In order for those pastors and congregations to make a faithful transition, this basic level of agreement needs to be upheld that the interim pastor will not be a candidate. I believe in the service and work of my interim ministry colleagues with their congregations, and would not want to do anything that would compromise transitions for congregations in the ELCA, or any congregation I serve for that matter. I will not be a candidate to serve as the congregationally-called pastor of First Lutheran Community Church of Port Orchard.

It is flattering to know that the people of First Lutheran Church affirm the ministry we share. It beats the alternative. My hope is that you will put your energy towards prayer for the ministry of the congregation and finding your niche to help the Transition Team, future Call Committee, staff, Council and your fellow sisters and brother in Christ navigate this time of transition. I am thankful for the opportunity to serve as your interim pastor. You have been a blessing in my life and ministry, giving me new energy and hope for whatever it is that God is calling me next. I hope I am able to reciprocate.

Adventures in de-cluttering and hand-written notes

I have recently devoted several hours per week to de-cluttering our household. Since moving from South Dakota to Washington, our home was downsized from 2200 square feet to 1350. The first few rounds of de-cluttering were easy, it was more like moving pieces of a puzzle around and attending to things I didn't have time to address during the move. Now, each disposal takes deeper thought and reflection. The bags that go to Goodwill take longer to fill.

Linking this de-cluttering to the Christian life is tempting. Though I know I'm forgiven for the log jam of sins committed over decades of life, it's still easy to carry the stuff around. God forgets it, so why can't I? If I forget what happened, does that make me prone to sin again? What I've found in de-cluttering my mind, soul and life is that the more I release, the easier it becomes in some respects. It may take more time to de-clutter, but the muscle and will required is exercised, and the depth of release is increased.

There are many reasons in a lifetime for holding on to things that need to be released. I remember the stories of disaster volunteers during the North Dakota flooding in the 1990's. My seminary colleagues found stacks of Styrofoam meat trays in one home (hundreds and hundreds) that had been saved for years in a home that had obviously lived through the Great Depression. Another found financial records dating back to the 1940's. Hanging on to things out of a strange combination of fear and resourcefulness left household after household of families and volunteers sorting through disaster areas of diseased flood waters and decayed stuff that was never released. I do not want my children and family to have to sort through meaningless stuff for months on end after my death. They'd have to at this point in my life, but what was once a few months may be able to be done in weeks. We will both be free to live our callings when we release.

One of the principles of organization consultant and TLC personality Peter Walsh discusses is giving things you want to save appropriate honor in a household--set up for easy recall, sharing and reflection. I recently found some handwritten notes from colleagues and congregation members. They were thoughtful, well-written and encouraging. About once a year, I review some of these notes and remember that my work does have a positive impact in people's lives. I have recently rejected and removed more paper in various forms than I ever could have imagined. Maybe I am a dinosaur--but a thoughtful, well-crafted, hand-written note of encouragement and thanks is a treasure. I suppose I can place these 20 or so notes in a display binder for future reference. In these notes I see the blessing of the body of Christ--definitely worth remembering and saving.

Sunday chaos highlights body of Christ and discipline lesson

Given my personality preferences, preparing for worship is not a highly detailed experience. I have learned to play and work with the detail-oriented folks over the years--but it's not completely for my benefit. To some degree, I am usually scrambling before a worship service about some detail. I suppose some of this pattern is related to interim ministry. By the time I am truly accustomed to flow of a congregation, it's time for me to go to the next congregation. However, there are days where any pastor is scrambling before a worship service because something has gone far off track. Sunday was one of those days.

Our music director, Bruce Ewen, had a bad fall while working at the local community theater. Though he attempted to play (he thought he may have had a broken arm), I wanted him to have doctors look at his injuries, and told him we could take care of things. We have several musicians in the congregation, but the ones who could probably help us immediately weren't available (at least in my limited time and understanding). With about 45 minutes before worship, I wasn't sure how we were going to pull everything off.



Madeleine Folkerts (above, playing one of the pieces used Sunday) was scheduled to play one piece, but she played a few extra pieces for the service--a postlude, some communion music and some meditative/prayerful pieces. Amy Hutchison accompanied in a pinch, and played beautifully so we didn't have to sing a cappella at the 930 and 11am services for Amazing Grace and Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee. Without Pastor Orv and Bruce around, I was dashing around and trying to maintain a sense of calm and decorum--with side dishes of humor and flexibility.

I even changed my sermon around a bit (though still focusing on 1 Corinthians 9: 19-27)--I was preaching about discipline and change, and I ended up preaching that in the Christian life, discipline is not for discipline's own sake. Discipline is not meant for someone in authority to control or abuse others. Discipline is a gift especially for the times of adversity. We even hosted a Tae Kwon Do demonstration during the sermon to lift visually depict the positive nature of discipline. We focus on Word and Sacrament as an extension of God's love and forgiveness, but also a discipline that brings together the people of God, so that sharing the Sacraments are part of our habits, even though the world around us may be in turmoil.

Looking back, the day of worship was blessed. The day didn't look blessed in the beginning. Maintaining calm and prayer were the first priorities. The day was blessed because of the faithfulness of God and the response of many in the body of Christ.

Stewardship Dissonance from Debt

I know that stewardship in the congregations I serve as an interim pastor is going to be challenging. The data I collect and observe is letting me know that my methods of stewardship need to change.

According to Crabtree and Weese in the book "Elephant In The Boardroom," the average congregation in transition can expect on average a 15 percent drop in offerings received (especially if they don't plan for transition). Add to this variable a struggling economy and the challenge for congregations in transitions is greater.

In the congregations I serve we have offered Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University. Regardless of what you think of Dave Ramsey, his politics and theology, through this course I have heard some harrowing stories of debt of all kinds of people in congregations--and I have seen transformation. I have also been a part of financial help courses through Thrivent Financial For Lutherans and its predecessor organizations, and I did not see the transformation that I have seen with FPU.

For my nearly 12 years of ordained ministry, I have not feared stewardship, because I have been taught by good theologians and congregational leaders. I have also seen the stewardship of others directly affect me and my life on more than one occasion. I have never seen stewardship as an effort that disappears into thin air. For me, stewardship is a part of my faith's lifeblood.

Because I see transformation in people, households and relationships in Financial Peace University, the place from where people come is frightening. For years I have operated under an assumption that if I am clear, faithful, compelling and persuasive in stewardship campaigns that congregations will be equipped with the resources to follow their calling and share good ministry.

I was wrong. A good stewardship campaign and good stewardship education is important, but household debt is what is crippling stewardship for congregations, not bad campaigns. I think there are bad campaigns out there, and some congregations don't even bother to intentionally ask people to give. However, I continue to see evidence that household debt is a key element for congregations' struggle with stewardship.

Household debt and a struggling economy is a two-headed beast for healthy congregations and their stewardship. For a congregation in a pastoral transition, stewardship becomes a three-headed beast. Something has to change, because there are callings from God to be fulfilled.

Sunday Surprise: The Impact of Blessing

First Lutheran Community Church of Port Orchard hosted its first "Celebrating Faces" worship service Sunday, January 31. The intent behind the service is an intentional outreach to give thanks for people who serve in particular roles in a community--offering a particular message, music, encouragement and hospitality. The emphasis toward regular worshipers in the congregation was personal invitation to colleagues and friends. The 11am worship service on the last Sunday of the month will focus on a specific vocational track to share in an offering of thanks. The January 31 service emphasized health care workers. As outreach has not been my specialty in over 11 years of ordained ministry, I didn't know what to expect from the results of the efforts of numerous volunteers and my preparation and vision casting. Even though my expectations for the gathering were limited outside of dedicated work and hospitality, I was surprised that the greatest impact among those in attendance appeared to be the individual blessings of health care workers.

Blessing was not in my original worship planning. As I pondered what would make this service distinct from other worship opportunities at FLCC, all I had planned was slightly changing the sermon and offering some different music. Though I have yet to find another congregation that is offering a "vocational outreach service," I did learn that the PCUSA and UCC has designated Sundays during the year for awareness, thanksgiving and advocacy. The UCC had a Health and Human Services Sunday, and the PCUSA has some worship resources related to health ministries. These resources sparked some creativity, and a litany and blessing/laying on of hands were added to the order of worship. A sign language interpreter also signed two of the songs during worship.

I confess, I did not preach a great sermon during the 11am service. I was too tight worrying about details during the service--and I became distracted and tense during the sermon. I was too focused on self, rather than the faithful work of the volunteers gathering this group together--there had to be at least 20 volunteers along the way who were always positive about the project. This was a Holy Spirit gathering and I didn't need to worry. I sat down after the sermon, disappointed in my delivery. Then I realized (duh) that this service wasn't about me, but the sharing of thanks and the blessing of God. When I invited the health care workers in the congregation to come forward for blessing/laying on of hands, people started pouring forward. At least 20 people came, and Pastor George Larson and I shared blessings for these health care workers and their healing service for people in their daily work.

This is the fourth service in my 5 months at FLCC where I have presided over a specific group blessing during worship: school children with their backpacks, Affirmation of Baptism, Blue Christmas and now "Celebrating Faces." The desire to be encouraged and blessed was something I didn't see coming--the blessing was easily the most powerful part of the worship service. I am reminded how easy it is to be discouraged in life and that with prayer, thanks, hospitality (we offered a free meal, among other hospitality details), appropriate touch (laying on of hands), and an opportunity to connect with God and others, people can be affirmed in their value in God's world and given the strength to face their days. Though I've never been completely sure about where the greatest impact in any worshiping community lies, the impact of God's blessing repeatedly grabs my attention.

The congregation, volunteers and I still have much to learn about this outreach project--where will it go from here? What can we improve? What can be celebrated? I think we could all agree about the presence of God and the impact of the gathering. My hope is that this outreach can be easily passed on to the next pastor and that the volunteers continue with their insight, passion and initiative.