You Lack Nothing (1 Cor. 1: 1-9)

Our culture is formulated to focus on what we do not have. That focus helps drive the economy, and some would argue, our very lives. Would you believe it if someone told you that you lack nothing? If you did believe it, would that belief change your approach to living?

The Parable of the Good Samaritan and Thanksgiving

The reality of American politics is that we live in 24-7 discourse. Because access and distribution of news has flattened (more contributors and consumers), the commentary and analysis does not end. I am thankful for this evolution in methods for understanding the world we live in. But I wonder what these changes have done to our political discourse. What function does that discourse serve? Does our understanding of truth become clearer? Do our political discussions give us a clearer understanding of how we live our lives?

One discussion that inevitably arises in American political discourse involves immigration and the place of immigrants in American society. What concerns me about political discussion related to immigration (and other topics, for that matter) is that the tenor of the discussion is antagonistic, with consequences of demonizing politicians (they're easy targets these days) or generalizing entire races or cultures.

I've been reading the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) as inspiration and education for my first months of ministry in a new context. Because this will be one of the first times in ministry I will live in the community I serve (I served in interim ministry for 10 years). I am looking at the context with different questions and a different attitude. I also think about this parable because of the traditional American Thanksgiving celebration. Like many traditions, the roots of our traditions are not as clear as we think. A few common aspects of Thanksgiving: a link to immigration, a gathering of different cultures, a recognition that being thankful is a good thing, and a recognition that food continues to be produced by the earth, which is an awe-inspiring feat of nature and labor. Christians see this activity as God-breathed.

I appreciate the questions that are posed in this exchange with Jesus and a "lawyer (one well-versed in Torah)."

• What must I do to inherit eternal life?
• What is written in the law?
• Who is my neighbor?
• Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?

First, because I ask myself the question often, "who is my neighbor?" I want to learn about the city, its people, and the land on which the city resides. In the city where I serve, two groups of neighbors are, we have different kinds of nomads: one group is here because they serve in the military, another group is multiple generations of Korean immigrants. Second, because Jesus instructs the lawyer as a teacher to be a good neighbor (go and do likewise). Marilyn Salmon persuasively articulates that we shouldn't assume that the exchange between Jesus and the lawyer is antagonistic, in fact there are clues to indicate that this is a respectful dialogue, especially in the lawyer's address to Jesus (teacher).

Part of the danger of antagonistic American political discourse is that we often graft an antagonistic discourse into other situations. Sometimes the Parable of the Good Samaritan has been seen as an antagonistic exchange between Jesus and a lawyer; I am persuaded to see that this is a conversation that seeks truth. The truth being sought involves the meaning of loving neighbor as self--showing mercy. I suppose we can digress and debate public policy theories regarding what constitutes mercy, but this is not what is going on in Luke. When I show mercy to my neighbors, I recognize the mercy that I have received from God in Christ. Sometimes that mercy comes from a place where it is least expected, as the character of the reviled Samaritan models mercy for the rest of us. For Jesus and the lawyer, mercy is not an abstract policy discussion, but an example about what it means to love God with all of our heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. Thanksgiving seems to be one of the best times to remember our nomadic histories, and mercy from unlikely and undeserved places.

Happy Thanksgiving--giving thanks for this day, and every day.

The Congregation Is Not Your Enemy

I don't remember which teacher told me that the congregation is not my enemy. I needed to hear it.

Maybe I get confused about my role sometimes. I end up acting like I'm God or something like that (there's some biblical precedence for this) It's not unusual for pastors to self-identify with Jesus. Mark Allen Powell used to teach a lesson about how hearers/readers of the Bible identify with biblical characters. Pastors tend to place themselves in Jesus' shoes, more so than other readers/hearers.

My theory is that people (pastors included) invest their time in congregational life with some high expectations, and when someone or something doesn't meet those expectations, it's easy for the congregation to become viewed as the enemy--the people who would dare take down my grand plans. I think the expectations are elevated even higher for pastors, because the time and money invested is particularly high. Early in my years of ministry, I found myself easily derailed by Luddites, cranky people, gossips, and nostalgia champions. I missed out on opportunities to listen and learn. Rather than identify with Jesus, I should have looked for Jesus in my neighbor.

I wore that frustration on my sleeve, and in my warped thinking somehow the integrity of Jesus was compromised because things weren't going my way. I'm glad that a good teacher taught me that the congregation is not my enemy. Rather than be derailed by what appears to be a barrier, on my better days I have an opportunity to learn and connect.

If the congregation is not my enemy, that does not mean that I seek agreement at all costs. I am forced to get clear about my priorities, and be clear about the end result. Maybe the result can be reached if I am flexible about the means to reach that desired end.

Pro Athletes, Lottery Winners, Christ Followers

Sermon audio for Matthew 25: 14-30.

How do humans often respond to an overwhelming gift or wealth? Stories abound of waste and loss. The church specializes in management and committees, which are often stories of burial. Who needs God? Take a look at our track record with overwhelming gifts...

Opportunity in Rememberance on Veteran's Day

On this Veteran's Day, I think of my late Granddad, Gerald Francis Zubrod.

Jerry served in the US Navy on the USS Washington during World War II. His military service completely changed his family tree. Raised in rural Iowa, he saw opportunity on many levels via the military, opportunities he struggled to see in his childhood. After the war, he took his GI Bill funding and became the first member of his family to graduate from college (the University of Washington). In some ways I learned about God before I ever cognitively knew God. When we gathered many a Saturday to watch the Washington Huskies play football, Granddad would sometimes share stories about Iowa, the University of Washington, and his time in the Navy. I learned about possibility and opportunity when we gathered together. When I learned about the Parable of the Talents later in life, I saw that gifts are powerfully linked to a generous God. We are called upon to trust that the gifts God gives us to also be generous in God's name in the world.

Learning and growing and seeing possibilities became a way of life for my brothers, and Granddad was a huge influence. It's a mixed bag for military vets. Sometimes the family tree makes an abrupt end in military service, sometimes it grows and flourishes, sometimes the pain of what is experienced and seen become a weight too difficult to bear. May there be healing and thankfulness in all the veterans remembered today, and even for the veterans not remembered, for even in their anonymity does their service deserved to be remembered.

The world needs more philosphers: they helped me frame today's Penn State

I have the greatest respect for philosophers. They have the patience and love of thought that allows them to frame complex issues of life in ways that I aspire to. I am thankful when I can engage them and gain insight for what I do as a pastor.

The only people I know with extensive training in philosophy both received their training at Penn State University, the school associated with the tragic and horrific abuse of several boys. 

I've never met Brian Cubbage personally, but I have greatly respected his thoughts and ideas for some time via social media. If people wonder what philosophers do, my understanding of philosophy is writ large in his post regarding the emotion and pain of the victims of sexual abuse at Penn State. Cubbage frames the issues at hand with a wisdom that I have yet to see in all that I have read and heard in the past several days. My other PSU-philosophy-trained friend David O'Hara has shared his thoughts on these issue more on Facebook, and I have appreciated those as well. Dave's writing is a good time investment.

Sometimes pastors get the idea that we have to be the bearer of all wisdom when the most difficult questions and situations of life arise (maybe I should speak for myself). The image of the body of Christ is helpful here. Sometimes I do have wisdom to offer. But I also have friends who have been through the rigors of thought work like an athlete trains their muscles, and have the gifts to articulate the best thoughts and paths to action. The world needs philosophers in the Body of Christ more than ever. I am a big proponent "shipping" ideas quickly and learning from failures. But I also thankful for the philosophers who remind me that the body glorifies God when we recognize parts and gifts differing.

I Love The Church--It's The People I Can't Stand

Considering 1 John 3: 1-3 and Matthew 5: 1-12, it's apparent why it is popular to talk about relationships in the life of the church. It's another thing to actually live out the relationships that Jesus and the community around 1 John espouse. It's challenging to see that as the church, we are the very instruments of God's love in the world, sharing God's blessing with people and situations that we would never consider a blessing.

Three Questions for Tired Congregations

What is the size of your congregation board/council/vestry?

How many standing committees does your congregation have?

Why?

Rarely can I get a congregational leader to give me an answer to the why question. If there is an answer, it comes in a tepid variation of "it gets members involved in the church." In this purpose vacuum, the involvement goal spawns deeper black holes of larger boards and more committees, and leaders lack the courage to get climb out of mere involvement.

Involvement is a weak goal at best. With mere involvement, the congregation ends up serving the bureaucracy rather than creating a leadership system that helps the congregation serve its purpose, to make disciples of Jesus.

People in congregations are tired--both pastors and members. If children of God are to participate in the ongoing creation in God's world, take them out of management business, and give them an opportunity to create.

Stop serving the bureaucracy. Serve God and neighbor instead. It's actually harder, but a lot more fun.


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Location:Motor Ave SW,Lakewood,United States