The field of continuing education for pastors and congregations presents both minefields and opportunities for reaching a goal.
What are the minefields:
1. Cost. My congregation was faced with an opportunity for an educational event for both me and 2-4 leaders from the congregation. I won't go into all of variables for attending, only that attending is about as close to being a "need" without actually being a need. The event is semi-annual, with the next event gathering in Houston, Texas. Round-trip airfare, tuition, hotel and other expenses, we were probably looking at $2-4K to make that trip. I pondered the opportunity cost for that trip for several weeks. I go to the training because it's part of my job, and the training does have value. For others, I'm asking individuals in my congregation to invest at least 4 days away from work and family.
2. Efficacy. I have heard some great theologians, teachers, leaders and preachers over the years at educational events. Some presentations were a waste of time. Sometimes this was the speaker's fault (delivery, under prepared), sometimes it was mine (I can have a bad attitude), sometimes it was the planner(s) of the event. Sometimes the responsibility is shared. Some speakers had a profound effect on me during that particular moment--it was something I needed to hear. I didn't necessarily require that person's words would profoundly change my life every day for the next 10 years, only that their insight was part of my overall sustenance and encouragement. It's like a feast. Feasts everyday can lose their meaning over time. Occasionally shared, feasts are the spice of life. I think about this when I reflect on events where I've heard Will Willimon, Sandra Day O'Connor, Martin Marty, and Maya Angelou. These kind of speakers draw people to come to conferences. These are wise people, and their words can be helpful and insightful. However, in my experience, these kinds of events don't necessarily elicit much change in my work. From some learning events I have returned home with some books, a binder full of materials, or have my email inbox filled with Power Points and documents. Rarely do I look at these documents ever again. That may be just as much about my habits as it is about educational philosophy, but I also know that I am not alone in owning a bookshelf loaded with books, boxes and binders holding the dusty hope of personal and organizational renewal.
After attending Unconference11 in May, the minefields of education became clearer to me about how I would invest learning time and resources in the future. Rock star quality speakers are not required (but hey, if they want to come and participate like everyone else, great!).
Where are the opportunities?
Connecting communication technologies (social media, blogs, web) provide key components to any learning and change opportunity. Learning is just as much about relationships as it is information. This is not an educational newsflash--many educational approaches gain leverage through relationships. However, I have observed that in church circles, there's still a lot of weight placed in bringing a big name speaker and implicitly inflicting death by Power Point for an educational event. The problem is, if I want the material I gain to truly take root, there needs to be relationship networks ready and available to take my enthusiasm as a convert and weave it in to the fabric of my life. #Unco11 #Unco12 #chsocm (specific Twitter linked communities) have provided access and friendships with other learners so that I gain support, insight, challenge, and an opportunity to share as well.
As I look at the minefields and opportunities for goal reaching in continuing education for pastors and congregations, I fear testing my own theories. I want to host an educational event. I believe that communication strategies for pastors and congregations are important in their work of sharing the Good News of Jesus. I don't need to host a big top event. It's time to trust the relationships I have built and that God will be present in not only where two or three are gathered, but will gather again as the relationships continue.
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label technology. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Generosity and creativity go hand in hand
What do we think about entrepreneurs in the church?
What does it take to create a faithful and thriving Christian community?
Are "faithful" and "thriving" mutually exclusive?
As I look across the mission field in the Pacific Northwest, knowing that any stewardship campaign I've ever done (in any place in the world) has not been "enough" for anyone involved in the community, why do we continue to attempt to resource ourselves the same way (definition of insanity)? When a leader comes along with a new/unfamiliar way (rooted in a faithful way) of gathering resources, is that methodology viewed with suspicion?
My observation: implicit messages exist all over historically Mainline Protestant traditions that entrepreneurs and their ideas are not welcome. Why? Is this a good thing?
I believe that among God's people there is always the opportunity to teach and encourage generosity. Generosity will indeed inspire and resource mission in the church. However, there's more to mission than generosity. Without creativity taught and encouraged, generosity misses part of the equation. Creativity must be unleashed.
Generosity and creativity go hand in hand.
What does it take to create a faithful and thriving Christian community?
Are "faithful" and "thriving" mutually exclusive?
As I look across the mission field in the Pacific Northwest, knowing that any stewardship campaign I've ever done (in any place in the world) has not been "enough" for anyone involved in the community, why do we continue to attempt to resource ourselves the same way (definition of insanity)? When a leader comes along with a new/unfamiliar way (rooted in a faithful way) of gathering resources, is that methodology viewed with suspicion?
My observation: implicit messages exist all over historically Mainline Protestant traditions that entrepreneurs and their ideas are not welcome. Why? Is this a good thing?
I believe that among God's people there is always the opportunity to teach and encourage generosity. Generosity will indeed inspire and resource mission in the church. However, there's more to mission than generosity. Without creativity taught and encouraged, generosity misses part of the equation. Creativity must be unleashed.
Generosity and creativity go hand in hand.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Baseball, Church, and Writing
Just because I haven't posted writing on the blog recently does not mean I haven't been writing. I've been writing a lot lately. An opportunity arose to audition for one of my favorite baseball blogs, thinking I could make the leap from mostly church stuff to baseball. Waiting patiently for future vocational turns is not my strong suit. The time may come to share some of my baseball writing on this blog, but I'm not sure about the direction this writing is taking. Your average pastor will never become a baseball blog, but I am curious about what I have learned in my processes in writing about baseball and church.
The writing process in baseball is surprisingly similar to writing about church--preaching, congregational development, and biblical scholarship. Over the past decade, baseball has gradually developed new methods of research to understand truths about baseball. For about 100 years, baseball used very specific methods for understanding the game that did not change much. As baseball revenues and salaries have reached new heights and computer/electronic analysis moved into the game some questioned the assumptions and validity of older methods. Those who held control over the older methods of baseball knowledge struggled and still struggle (to the point of hatred and vitriol) with the new methods.
For some, the new methods of baseball analysis come with great ease, especially those who work well with statistical analysis. Information about baseball is not dependent on newspaper beat writers with large travel budgets or national commentators, or even sports networks like ESPN. Anyone with internet access and a desire to execute extensive research can make compelling arguments about many facets of the game, and I find their arguments quite persuasive. The validity of any measurement, whether qualitative or quantitative should be a priority. Are we actually evaluating what we say we're evaluating?
Sound familiar?
The church, biblical scholarship and preaching have changed because of access to information. Some people whose livelihoods or power status were based on older knowledge methods have challenged newer methods of research and analysis. Seminaries have had to change their methods some (though not all too quickly) and ordination tracks and sacramental access has shifted (though not too quickly). The common thread in developing new hierarchies and authority matrices is that control over information is crumbling (or has crumbled). It affects both the baseball world and the world of the church. Luther and his followers, colleagues and adversaries saw it with the dawn of the printing press. The authority structures are crumbling again. Feel free to deny it, or even decry it--I'm not sure it will do you any good.
What I have learned is that for all the doctrinal purists in both baseball and the church, they are still about relationships. Though it will always help to keep certain skill sets up to date and develop new knowledge bases, the world needs people who can navigate these changing times by managing their own anxiety and stay connected to people of different viewpoints. I haven't even touched on politics--and I think this is a primary issue in the current American political climate.
The fun part for me is that the opportunity to write about these topics and stay connected with you does not flow through a publication like The Christian Century, a local or national newspaper, or even a book that I write. I can connect with you--now. I am gladdened by our shared creative energy. I think that is God at work in the Spirit.
The writing process in baseball is surprisingly similar to writing about church--preaching, congregational development, and biblical scholarship. Over the past decade, baseball has gradually developed new methods of research to understand truths about baseball. For about 100 years, baseball used very specific methods for understanding the game that did not change much. As baseball revenues and salaries have reached new heights and computer/electronic analysis moved into the game some questioned the assumptions and validity of older methods. Those who held control over the older methods of baseball knowledge struggled and still struggle (to the point of hatred and vitriol) with the new methods.
For some, the new methods of baseball analysis come with great ease, especially those who work well with statistical analysis. Information about baseball is not dependent on newspaper beat writers with large travel budgets or national commentators, or even sports networks like ESPN. Anyone with internet access and a desire to execute extensive research can make compelling arguments about many facets of the game, and I find their arguments quite persuasive. The validity of any measurement, whether qualitative or quantitative should be a priority. Are we actually evaluating what we say we're evaluating?
Sound familiar?
The church, biblical scholarship and preaching have changed because of access to information. Some people whose livelihoods or power status were based on older knowledge methods have challenged newer methods of research and analysis. Seminaries have had to change their methods some (though not all too quickly) and ordination tracks and sacramental access has shifted (though not too quickly). The common thread in developing new hierarchies and authority matrices is that control over information is crumbling (or has crumbled). It affects both the baseball world and the world of the church. Luther and his followers, colleagues and adversaries saw it with the dawn of the printing press. The authority structures are crumbling again. Feel free to deny it, or even decry it--I'm not sure it will do you any good.
What I have learned is that for all the doctrinal purists in both baseball and the church, they are still about relationships. Though it will always help to keep certain skill sets up to date and develop new knowledge bases, the world needs people who can navigate these changing times by managing their own anxiety and stay connected to people of different viewpoints. I haven't even touched on politics--and I think this is a primary issue in the current American political climate.
The fun part for me is that the opportunity to write about these topics and stay connected with you does not flow through a publication like The Christian Century, a local or national newspaper, or even a book that I write. I can connect with you--now. I am gladdened by our shared creative energy. I think that is God at work in the Spirit.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Creating: A Good Way To Start
Genesis poses several challenges to Bible readers.
For some, Genesis represents a lens the natural world: a 6,000 year-old Earth where the words in Genesis trump any scientific discovery. For others, the idea of a talking snake conversing with the first humans delegitimizes any claim the Bible makes. Placing these perspectives on a continuum, I imagine that many Bible readers fall somewhere in between the two aforementioned poles.
I'm reflecting on the creation stories in Genesis today because I'm beginning a ministry that is new to me. God has been here in Lakewood and at St. John's Lutheran Church long before I got here. But In Genesis, God engages humanity to join in the creative action of God. Creation is an ongoing activity, initiated and supported by God--I'm glad I get to take part.
The challenge of the day in light of Genesis is actually creating. Creating was a first person activity for our parents and their parents. It was not only part of survival, but essentially cultural: our ancestors cooked from scratch more often, created their own tools and crafts, fixed their own household items. This is not meant to glamorize the past, rather give us perspective on where we are.
In an information age, passive intake is a default operation for many cultures. I don't wish to return to glamorized days of yore, but I do want to recognize that creation takes intentional action. Any of us can execute our survival primarily on consumption. From Internet, to social media, to ordering a pizza on a smart phone, to streaming movies on a tablet, we can navigate our days without much intentional thought. I am thankful for all of these tools, but creation can easily be lost from day to day living.
Maybe the view of "be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28)" can be expanded from bringing children into the world to creating in a sense that makes life better for living.
Seth Godin's book Linchpin has challenged me to reconsider my participation in creation. What am I sharing with the world? What steps am I taking to give life in the world? In encouraging moments, Godin encourages me with all the gifts and talents I have, at other times reminds me how often I waste time spinning my wheels on social media and Web surfing.
Today provided me one of many choices; writing provided me a good path to start a ministry that is new to me. Creation is a good foundation for any day of life.
For some, Genesis represents a lens the natural world: a 6,000 year-old Earth where the words in Genesis trump any scientific discovery. For others, the idea of a talking snake conversing with the first humans delegitimizes any claim the Bible makes. Placing these perspectives on a continuum, I imagine that many Bible readers fall somewhere in between the two aforementioned poles.
I'm reflecting on the creation stories in Genesis today because I'm beginning a ministry that is new to me. God has been here in Lakewood and at St. John's Lutheran Church long before I got here. But In Genesis, God engages humanity to join in the creative action of God. Creation is an ongoing activity, initiated and supported by God--I'm glad I get to take part.
The challenge of the day in light of Genesis is actually creating. Creating was a first person activity for our parents and their parents. It was not only part of survival, but essentially cultural: our ancestors cooked from scratch more often, created their own tools and crafts, fixed their own household items. This is not meant to glamorize the past, rather give us perspective on where we are.
In an information age, passive intake is a default operation for many cultures. I don't wish to return to glamorized days of yore, but I do want to recognize that creation takes intentional action. Any of us can execute our survival primarily on consumption. From Internet, to social media, to ordering a pizza on a smart phone, to streaming movies on a tablet, we can navigate our days without much intentional thought. I am thankful for all of these tools, but creation can easily be lost from day to day living.
Maybe the view of "be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28)" can be expanded from bringing children into the world to creating in a sense that makes life better for living.
Seth Godin's book Linchpin has challenged me to reconsider my participation in creation. What am I sharing with the world? What steps am I taking to give life in the world? In encouraging moments, Godin encourages me with all the gifts and talents I have, at other times reminds me how often I waste time spinning my wheels on social media and Web surfing.
Today provided me one of many choices; writing provided me a good path to start a ministry that is new to me. Creation is a good foundation for any day of life.
Location:82nd St SW,Lakewood,United States
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Unconference11--a gathering of ideas and a ministry of encouragement--my story
At the opening worship for Unconference11, one of our leaders asked us what do we bring to this gathering? What do we have to offer?
This is a good question. For over a year I have planned to attend Unco11. It represents an odyssey for me, through developmental challenges for my daughter and all of the changes that represents in my family life, vocational discernment, and what it means to have friends and colleagues during this season of my life. Before my daughter's diagnosis in 2006, I was heavily involved in continuing education and colleague groups. That participation ground to a halt. My family needed more focus. The window for our daughter to thrive was one that required specific attention. So that is what Melanie and I did. It is always our life that we do this for our families, but this was particular. We are at a place where we are confident in our ability to care for our daughter. It is time to reconnect. Unco11 represents that for me.
What do I have to offer? It may sound simple--but I can offer encouragement to others. I also came to be encouraged. It is in that space of encouragement that God is present. One might think that a gathering related to the church is supposed to be encouraging. But it is rare. I have been to numerous gatherings of church folk over the years, and I may have learned things, but the Spirit to implement that learning was lost in a sea of handouts and notes. Lost in the work of control freaks and egomaniacs, of which I was sometimes (and still can be) one. Observing the folks (mostly via Twitter #unco11) and Spirit who birthed the Unconference I saw a place of encouragement and learning that didn't rely on or assume old pedagogy. Plus, the use of technology and social media are used without suspicion.
I am very pleased with my investment in this gathering. I have intentionally encouraged others, and I have been encouraged. I am thankful for the many hours of labor invested so that I may experience Christ's presence.
I am still processing the discussions, and that may come with a later post. If you are looking to find a company of encouragement centered on a discussion of what we can collectively and individually offer to the life of the church, keep your eyes open for the next gathering of Unco!
This is a good question. For over a year I have planned to attend Unco11. It represents an odyssey for me, through developmental challenges for my daughter and all of the changes that represents in my family life, vocational discernment, and what it means to have friends and colleagues during this season of my life. Before my daughter's diagnosis in 2006, I was heavily involved in continuing education and colleague groups. That participation ground to a halt. My family needed more focus. The window for our daughter to thrive was one that required specific attention. So that is what Melanie and I did. It is always our life that we do this for our families, but this was particular. We are at a place where we are confident in our ability to care for our daughter. It is time to reconnect. Unco11 represents that for me.
What do I have to offer? It may sound simple--but I can offer encouragement to others. I also came to be encouraged. It is in that space of encouragement that God is present. One might think that a gathering related to the church is supposed to be encouraging. But it is rare. I have been to numerous gatherings of church folk over the years, and I may have learned things, but the Spirit to implement that learning was lost in a sea of handouts and notes. Lost in the work of control freaks and egomaniacs, of which I was sometimes (and still can be) one. Observing the folks (mostly via Twitter #unco11) and Spirit who birthed the Unconference I saw a place of encouragement and learning that didn't rely on or assume old pedagogy. Plus, the use of technology and social media are used without suspicion.
I am very pleased with my investment in this gathering. I have intentionally encouraged others, and I have been encouraged. I am thankful for the many hours of labor invested so that I may experience Christ's presence.
I am still processing the discussions, and that may come with a later post. If you are looking to find a company of encouragement centered on a discussion of what we can collectively and individually offer to the life of the church, keep your eyes open for the next gathering of Unco!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Using the tools of the communication trade
My father was never much of a fix-it guy. We didn't have many tools lying around the house. Not much tinkering with cars or small engines or household appliances in my boyhood home. No spare bolts, wires or springs. I've used enough hand and power tools in shop class and through experimentation to get by. I don't necessarily enjoy using tools, but I appreciate the ability to use them.
My stocked tool box relates to congregational ministry, and I love to find tools to help me navigate, learn, and connect relationally. I've been picking up as many tools as I am able since 1998. Some tools I use more than others. My favorite tools recently relate to social media--blogging, Twitter and Facebook. I'm encouraged about what is possible through these tools. What is different about these tools is the open access--so many of the other tools I've used over the years require significant amounts of hours and resources of training and other start-up costs. Then the materials sit on a shelf, to be used rarely again, if ever at all.
I've been frustrated to see that the use of social media to connect is in limited use--at least in comparison with some of our Full Communion partners in the ELCA. I especially find PCUSA folk all over social media: Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, while serving as Moderator of the 218th General Assembly, offered important leadership concerning the use of technology for the church. I am in full agreement with him about blogging as a spiritual practice, appreciate his presence on Twitter, and his thought-provoking work with Carol Howard Merritt on their podcast God Complex Radio. I'm looking forward to gathering with many of these folks who take seriously their communication methodology of many different backgrounds (and hoping for a few more ELCA people) at Unconference 2011 in May.
My contention is not that the church will be "saved" by technology (I'll stick with Jesus), but these tools are as important to connecting people with God and one another as much as the telephone, sound amplification, and the printing press. Communication tools provide access and make the priesthood of all believers a more tangible reality than mere words. Social media encompasses several useful communication tools. Social media also happens to be where the Digital Natives communicate and congregate. Jesus went where the people were; he made few references to going to the house of worship. So I'm going to go where the people are.
I'm not making any revolutionary statements here, but it's what I've been thinking about, sometimes keeping me up at night. I'm reaching out to my colleagues and sisters and brothers in Christ (especially in the Pacific Northwest and the West Coast) in 20th Century-Brand Protestant churches (formerly known as Mainline Protestants) to gather our congregations out here to help teach the tools of communication. A conference, a webinar, a podcast, a traveling road show, a workshop--I don't care. I want to partner with some of my colleagues in the Pacific Northwest and serve others and use the tools available to all of us. I look forward to your ideas and feedback.
Not only are these tools for communication building the new front door to being church, but in many ways, they already are church.
My stocked tool box relates to congregational ministry, and I love to find tools to help me navigate, learn, and connect relationally. I've been picking up as many tools as I am able since 1998. Some tools I use more than others. My favorite tools recently relate to social media--blogging, Twitter and Facebook. I'm encouraged about what is possible through these tools. What is different about these tools is the open access--so many of the other tools I've used over the years require significant amounts of hours and resources of training and other start-up costs. Then the materials sit on a shelf, to be used rarely again, if ever at all.
I've been frustrated to see that the use of social media to connect is in limited use--at least in comparison with some of our Full Communion partners in the ELCA. I especially find PCUSA folk all over social media: Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, while serving as Moderator of the 218th General Assembly, offered important leadership concerning the use of technology for the church. I am in full agreement with him about blogging as a spiritual practice, appreciate his presence on Twitter, and his thought-provoking work with Carol Howard Merritt on their podcast God Complex Radio. I'm looking forward to gathering with many of these folks who take seriously their communication methodology of many different backgrounds (and hoping for a few more ELCA people) at Unconference 2011 in May.
My contention is not that the church will be "saved" by technology (I'll stick with Jesus), but these tools are as important to connecting people with God and one another as much as the telephone, sound amplification, and the printing press. Communication tools provide access and make the priesthood of all believers a more tangible reality than mere words. Social media encompasses several useful communication tools. Social media also happens to be where the Digital Natives communicate and congregate. Jesus went where the people were; he made few references to going to the house of worship. So I'm going to go where the people are.
I'm not making any revolutionary statements here, but it's what I've been thinking about, sometimes keeping me up at night. I'm reaching out to my colleagues and sisters and brothers in Christ (especially in the Pacific Northwest and the West Coast) in 20th Century-Brand Protestant churches (formerly known as Mainline Protestants) to gather our congregations out here to help teach the tools of communication. A conference, a webinar, a podcast, a traveling road show, a workshop--I don't care. I want to partner with some of my colleagues in the Pacific Northwest and serve others and use the tools available to all of us. I look forward to your ideas and feedback.
Not only are these tools for communication building the new front door to being church, but in many ways, they already are church.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Why I joined Facebook (finally)
I was never going to join Facebook because my friends said I should. I find it challenging enough to strengthen my primary relationships. I don't need Facebook telling me every time I log on about connections I need to be making. This introvert is overwhelmed by those thoughts.
I think an introvert, non-Digital Native makes reflective choices about how they are going to be present in public through social media, and I took a long time reflecting on what it meant for me to participate on Facebook.
What drove me to make the move? I think it's been over two years since I began receiving invitations. I don't expect my joining Facebook is a big deal to anyone else, but it had to make sense to me.
1. As a pastor, I am a communicator. That is my job. Jesus went to the people, and I am attempting to follow that example. Communication is also part of what makes me who I am. As a steward and student of communication, I can make choices about how I communicate (how frequently, the kinds of things I choose to post, etc.). However, I was persuaded that I could no longer afford to make the choice not to communicate in some ways at all.
2. The Social Network film inspired the sociology and communication student in me.
Seth Godin gave me a Facebook caveat reminding me to be a good communication steward, which my brother stated much more succinctly, "Facebook is a time suck." I don't need to contribute to the noise in the world, but make my communication count. Godin doesn't spend time on Twitter or Facebook. He puts out the only blog in which I read every entry.
I'll still enjoy seeing my friends on Facebook. It was fun to shock some of them by joining.
I think an introvert, non-Digital Native makes reflective choices about how they are going to be present in public through social media, and I took a long time reflecting on what it meant for me to participate on Facebook.
What drove me to make the move? I think it's been over two years since I began receiving invitations. I don't expect my joining Facebook is a big deal to anyone else, but it had to make sense to me.
1. As a pastor, I am a communicator. That is my job. Jesus went to the people, and I am attempting to follow that example. Communication is also part of what makes me who I am. As a steward and student of communication, I can make choices about how I communicate (how frequently, the kinds of things I choose to post, etc.). However, I was persuaded that I could no longer afford to make the choice not to communicate in some ways at all.
2. The Social Network film inspired the sociology and communication student in me.
Seth Godin gave me a Facebook caveat reminding me to be a good communication steward, which my brother stated much more succinctly, "Facebook is a time suck." I don't need to contribute to the noise in the world, but make my communication count. Godin doesn't spend time on Twitter or Facebook. He puts out the only blog in which I read every entry.
I'll still enjoy seeing my friends on Facebook. It was fun to shock some of them by joining.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Another untimely review: The Social Network
I am late to the Facebook party. For a few months, I've been a wallflower at the Facebook party, content to dance with my wife, who is my date to this party. To this party, I have brought a book, and a lot of other things to do.
Just because I'm not participating in the party does not mean I'm not interested in what is going on. I'm intrigued by the theories behind the interaction and relationships. I'm annoyed that social media is criticized for being a network of faux relationships. People are going to use Facebook, Twitter and the like, and the methodology of these relationships will evolve. I will do my best to observe the qualities of these interactions and offer theological and social science perspectives with as open a mind as possible. I'm not really sure Facebook is for me. I find the Facebook platform a bit overwhelming, like I felt about dances in high school and college. I have been a bit defiant about Facebook over the past two years, but I've chosen to be more of a curious observer and student of the platform rather than an outspoken critic.
The movie The Social Network has changed my perspective enough that I am willing to learn more about Facebook. I got to that point through the review of Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post. I enjoy her film reviews with Tony Kornheiser on Fridays, and her praise of The Social Network caused me to reflect on my relationship with social media more deeply. Rather than see Facebook as a mere toy, time-passer, or cultural fad, watching the film gave me a deeper sense of the connection between communication, relationships and commerce. We all make choices about our communication methodology. The call for a Christian is to discern how to make the way we communicate a reflection of the grace we have received. In that sense, Facebook is value neutral. However, the Social Network does not make any of the main characters, or even the folks with the bit parts look good. No character is glorified. What I find compelling is the craft and intelligence behind the platform, and what sin can do to any method of communication. The Social Network is driven by story and script writing (skillfully and enjoyably executed), and not reliant on the cache of the actors (though I agree with Hornaday that their skill should be recognized). For any student of human relationships and talents, The Social Network is a positive investment of your time.
If you think that The Social Network is not worth your time, at least learn from this review that the wallflowers at the party will go on observing while others are partying it up.
Just because I'm not participating in the party does not mean I'm not interested in what is going on. I'm intrigued by the theories behind the interaction and relationships. I'm annoyed that social media is criticized for being a network of faux relationships. People are going to use Facebook, Twitter and the like, and the methodology of these relationships will evolve. I will do my best to observe the qualities of these interactions and offer theological and social science perspectives with as open a mind as possible. I'm not really sure Facebook is for me. I find the Facebook platform a bit overwhelming, like I felt about dances in high school and college. I have been a bit defiant about Facebook over the past two years, but I've chosen to be more of a curious observer and student of the platform rather than an outspoken critic.
The movie The Social Network has changed my perspective enough that I am willing to learn more about Facebook. I got to that point through the review of Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post. I enjoy her film reviews with Tony Kornheiser on Fridays, and her praise of The Social Network caused me to reflect on my relationship with social media more deeply. Rather than see Facebook as a mere toy, time-passer, or cultural fad, watching the film gave me a deeper sense of the connection between communication, relationships and commerce. We all make choices about our communication methodology. The call for a Christian is to discern how to make the way we communicate a reflection of the grace we have received. In that sense, Facebook is value neutral. However, the Social Network does not make any of the main characters, or even the folks with the bit parts look good. No character is glorified. What I find compelling is the craft and intelligence behind the platform, and what sin can do to any method of communication. The Social Network is driven by story and script writing (skillfully and enjoyably executed), and not reliant on the cache of the actors (though I agree with Hornaday that their skill should be recognized). For any student of human relationships and talents, The Social Network is a positive investment of your time.
If you think that The Social Network is not worth your time, at least learn from this review that the wallflowers at the party will go on observing while others are partying it up.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due to my ELCA Sisters and Brothers
Yesterday I highlighted some missed opportunities and future possibilities for my ELCA friends and colleagues regarding connections, learning and conferences. Today I learned via Twitter about an ELCA-sponsored conference: Follow Me: Sharing The Gospel in a 2.0 World. It's time to give credit where credit is due. I am thankful that my colleagues are using the resources available to them for evangelism and relationship building.
The promotional page for Follow Me is laid out well, offering opportunities to connect with Twitter hash tags, a Facebook event page and an invitation to blog. I think the event is worthy of its own Twitter account--and probably its own web page (linked to the ELCA site, but not necessarily embedded in its own brand). As of 1130am Pacific Time August 12, I read about 30 tweets from participants. I added each tweeter whom I was not already following to my own follow list and look forward to further connections, even though I am not attending the conference. I did not know about the conference until I saw the tweets this morning. Having a separate Twitter account for a conference creates expanded opportunities to attract participants--using those who are excited about the conference to expand publicity. What the Follow Me conference has offered is more of what I hoped for when I attended the Rethinking Stewardship Conference through Luther Seminary in July.
The conference target audience "communicators, campus ministry chaplains/staff, and college/university students" leaves me a little puzzled. I can understand the energy generated for those involved in campus ministry and young adults involved in higher education. "Communicators" is the hook that opens up the conference to many more than the other targets. "Communicators" is a continual growing identity edge for ELCA congregations. I'm not sure that congregations see themselves as shared communicators of the Gospel--they often look to the pastor for this communication. All congregations have a story to tell and now have many tools at their disposal to tell that story. My current congregation, First Lutheran Community Church in Port Orchard, WA, is learning that they have a story to tell, and how we can tell that using the tools available. The scope of public congregational presence is a flattening enterprise, and I see my current season of interim ministry at FLCC to help the congregation embrace that they all have a role in sharing the God's story through FLCC to the public and that they desire connection.
I find the Follow Me Conference hopeful--I wish I could be attending--and I'm glad I can connect with the material later. I wonder how the folks attending will connect with ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson. I wonder how expanding ministry tools will be embraced. I usually wonder what God is up to, and I am glad that the Spirit has expanded my wondering.
The promotional page for Follow Me is laid out well, offering opportunities to connect with Twitter hash tags, a Facebook event page and an invitation to blog. I think the event is worthy of its own Twitter account--and probably its own web page (linked to the ELCA site, but not necessarily embedded in its own brand). As of 1130am Pacific Time August 12, I read about 30 tweets from participants. I added each tweeter whom I was not already following to my own follow list and look forward to further connections, even though I am not attending the conference. I did not know about the conference until I saw the tweets this morning. Having a separate Twitter account for a conference creates expanded opportunities to attract participants--using those who are excited about the conference to expand publicity. What the Follow Me conference has offered is more of what I hoped for when I attended the Rethinking Stewardship Conference through Luther Seminary in July.
The conference target audience "communicators, campus ministry chaplains/staff, and college/university students" leaves me a little puzzled. I can understand the energy generated for those involved in campus ministry and young adults involved in higher education. "Communicators" is the hook that opens up the conference to many more than the other targets. "Communicators" is a continual growing identity edge for ELCA congregations. I'm not sure that congregations see themselves as shared communicators of the Gospel--they often look to the pastor for this communication. All congregations have a story to tell and now have many tools at their disposal to tell that story. My current congregation, First Lutheran Community Church in Port Orchard, WA, is learning that they have a story to tell, and how we can tell that using the tools available. The scope of public congregational presence is a flattening enterprise, and I see my current season of interim ministry at FLCC to help the congregation embrace that they all have a role in sharing the God's story through FLCC to the public and that they desire connection.
I find the Follow Me Conference hopeful--I wish I could be attending--and I'm glad I can connect with the material later. I wonder how the folks attending will connect with ELCA Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson. I wonder how expanding ministry tools will be embraced. I usually wonder what God is up to, and I am glad that the Spirit has expanded my wondering.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
The Parchment on Ye Olde Participante Liste Turns To Dust: On Twitter and Ministry Conferences
In the days of yore attending church conferences, one of the most curious handouts I received in a packet included a participant list.
The participant list provided copious amounts of contact information: name, home address, church address, home phone, work phone, cell phone, home email, work email, and website (whew!). I remember thinking the compilation of these lists represented good networking theory. I have a list of new colleagues, and possibly friends. If I had a question of praxis, boom! I could write, call, email and I had a colleague with a shared language. We drank deeply from the well of shared experience with hope of transformation, a quiver of learning arrows ready to target the ministry ogres that we had jousted before and lost.
Attending an average of 2-3 conferences a year for 12 years, I think I used all of those participant lists a mere handful of times. The well of shared experience ran dry and the arrows lost their sharpness. Ongoing opportunities for connection are easily parched and difficult to preserve. The conferences are still valuable. The content is usually good, and the people are bright, insightful and wise. The value of the material quickly diminishes without collegial connections. Ye Olde Participante Liste is no longer effective, and it may never have been effective in the first place.
For some people who work in ministry, newer means of connecting are not news. The innovators and early adapters have found new ways to connect, catapulting over Ye Olde Participante Liste and moving into Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other means of connecting and sharing valuable information. Since I've been on Twitter for about one year, I regularly find Evangelical and Presbyterian colleagues using Twitter to reinforce their learning at conferences through relationships and shared learning in the months and years ahead. These connections occur at far greater speed than a phone call, an email, or snail mail. The shift is not so much about speed/effieciency (yet still important), but something educators and learners have known for years: follow up and reinforcement is necessary in order for the content to have lasting effect. I see the ELCA is living in the land of Ye Olde Participante Liste. Every gathering I attended over the past year--the connections are taken for granted. If the connections are being made--I am missing them. I hope I'm missing something and my comment box will be flooded with ELCA colleagues who are connecting and provide the path where others are gathering.
Last month I attended a fabulous stewardship conference in Eden Prairie, MN, hosted by Luther Seminary and other sister organizations. I feverishly sought connection while there. The conversation at tables during the conference were lively and insightful. However, the opportunities to connect after the conference were non-existent. I posted about 25 tweets, fishing for a connection. The only connections I made (good ones) was with a few staff people at The Lutheran magazine, one who was covering the conference. That connection provided me the opportunity to debrief about the conference while attending and a week later with Lutheran magazine intern Erin Ash. I see possibilities. Far more in one conference than the 24-36 I attended in my first 12 years of ministry. I think the content is actually getting better in many ways, but that content is lost without follow up connections.
Some of God's people have taken the opportunity to gather at a new Rounde Table for God's mission in the world. I hope more of my colleagues in the ELCA can show me where that table is, or come join me at the tables where I gather.
The participant list provided copious amounts of contact information: name, home address, church address, home phone, work phone, cell phone, home email, work email, and website (whew!). I remember thinking the compilation of these lists represented good networking theory. I have a list of new colleagues, and possibly friends. If I had a question of praxis, boom! I could write, call, email and I had a colleague with a shared language. We drank deeply from the well of shared experience with hope of transformation, a quiver of learning arrows ready to target the ministry ogres that we had jousted before and lost.
Attending an average of 2-3 conferences a year for 12 years, I think I used all of those participant lists a mere handful of times. The well of shared experience ran dry and the arrows lost their sharpness. Ongoing opportunities for connection are easily parched and difficult to preserve. The conferences are still valuable. The content is usually good, and the people are bright, insightful and wise. The value of the material quickly diminishes without collegial connections. Ye Olde Participante Liste is no longer effective, and it may never have been effective in the first place.
For some people who work in ministry, newer means of connecting are not news. The innovators and early adapters have found new ways to connect, catapulting over Ye Olde Participante Liste and moving into Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and other means of connecting and sharing valuable information. Since I've been on Twitter for about one year, I regularly find Evangelical and Presbyterian colleagues using Twitter to reinforce their learning at conferences through relationships and shared learning in the months and years ahead. These connections occur at far greater speed than a phone call, an email, or snail mail. The shift is not so much about speed/effieciency (yet still important), but something educators and learners have known for years: follow up and reinforcement is necessary in order for the content to have lasting effect. I see the ELCA is living in the land of Ye Olde Participante Liste. Every gathering I attended over the past year--the connections are taken for granted. If the connections are being made--I am missing them. I hope I'm missing something and my comment box will be flooded with ELCA colleagues who are connecting and provide the path where others are gathering.
Last month I attended a fabulous stewardship conference in Eden Prairie, MN, hosted by Luther Seminary and other sister organizations. I feverishly sought connection while there. The conversation at tables during the conference were lively and insightful. However, the opportunities to connect after the conference were non-existent. I posted about 25 tweets, fishing for a connection. The only connections I made (good ones) was with a few staff people at The Lutheran magazine, one who was covering the conference. That connection provided me the opportunity to debrief about the conference while attending and a week later with Lutheran magazine intern Erin Ash. I see possibilities. Far more in one conference than the 24-36 I attended in my first 12 years of ministry. I think the content is actually getting better in many ways, but that content is lost without follow up connections.
Some of God's people have taken the opportunity to gather at a new Rounde Table for God's mission in the world. I hope more of my colleagues in the ELCA can show me where that table is, or come join me at the tables where I gather.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
New Media Epiphanies and Strategy
Epiphanies come in many shapes and sizes, though these episodes of discovery come more frequently and rapidly.
In the past 6 months, even after coming from a huge newspaper household in my youth, I can no longer bring myself to buy a newspaper. My fingers avoid ink stains, I don't dispose of a pile of paper, and my access to archives is greater without attempting to save piles of papers and taking up storage space in my house. I read most of my news on my iPhone these days. Most of the time I even forget the wonderful mobility of a laptop.
I desire to learn about new (if not already mainstream) media without the burden of earning a new degree. I want to put some theological flesh on the meaning of communication using today's tools. I want to learn while having my insight respected and not be given too much jargon or techie lingo. I want to connect with God and others, and I want to expand my imagination in doing so.
Using Twitter over the past 8 months, I find the connections to good information and specialized discussions increase in probability. While intentionally seeking to learn and grow in the scope of connecting with God and others through new media, I found a local, Seattle Mariners-loving, Mainline-Oldline Protestant Christian who develops new media strategies with congregations (Will Boyd). We met in a Seattle neighborhood (Ballard) at fun little BBQ restaurant (Pete's Smokin' BBQ) with free wifi. The entire meeting was arranged on Twitter. We didn't share any contact information outside of Twitter (until today). We had a solid theological conversation that took me to different places of thinking, while receiving ideas for tools that can be used for more effective communication.
While reflecting on my experience on my ferry ride back to my office from Seattle, I thought about my history with networking. A connection like today's conversation 10 years ago may have taken months and thousands of dollars to develop. I used to attend conferences for networking. Not to say that conferences are a resource black hole, but my return on investment with new media is exponential. I don't have to wait for big conferences to make important connections, I choose the scope and frequency of that connection.
The entire experience today was physically framed by driving up to a big old steeple ELCA congregation--First Lutheran Church in Ballard. As I walked up to Smokin' Pete BBQ (across the street from the church) for a tweetup, I thought about old ways and new ways of connecting with God and one another. I saw children at the church daycare playing outside, realizing that sharing God's grace through serving the neighbor in a daycare still matters. This is still the declared end in mind: to connect with God and others. The means are changing, faster than sometimes I care to admit, yet I don't lament the changes like I thought I might. I'm glad God would still care to use me in an era of rapidly changing means to achieve the ends.
In the past 6 months, even after coming from a huge newspaper household in my youth, I can no longer bring myself to buy a newspaper. My fingers avoid ink stains, I don't dispose of a pile of paper, and my access to archives is greater without attempting to save piles of papers and taking up storage space in my house. I read most of my news on my iPhone these days. Most of the time I even forget the wonderful mobility of a laptop.
I desire to learn about new (if not already mainstream) media without the burden of earning a new degree. I want to put some theological flesh on the meaning of communication using today's tools. I want to learn while having my insight respected and not be given too much jargon or techie lingo. I want to connect with God and others, and I want to expand my imagination in doing so.
Using Twitter over the past 8 months, I find the connections to good information and specialized discussions increase in probability. While intentionally seeking to learn and grow in the scope of connecting with God and others through new media, I found a local, Seattle Mariners-loving, Mainline-Oldline Protestant Christian who develops new media strategies with congregations (Will Boyd). We met in a Seattle neighborhood (Ballard) at fun little BBQ restaurant (Pete's Smokin' BBQ) with free wifi. The entire meeting was arranged on Twitter. We didn't share any contact information outside of Twitter (until today). We had a solid theological conversation that took me to different places of thinking, while receiving ideas for tools that can be used for more effective communication.
While reflecting on my experience on my ferry ride back to my office from Seattle, I thought about my history with networking. A connection like today's conversation 10 years ago may have taken months and thousands of dollars to develop. I used to attend conferences for networking. Not to say that conferences are a resource black hole, but my return on investment with new media is exponential. I don't have to wait for big conferences to make important connections, I choose the scope and frequency of that connection.
The entire experience today was physically framed by driving up to a big old steeple ELCA congregation--First Lutheran Church in Ballard. As I walked up to Smokin' Pete BBQ (across the street from the church) for a tweetup, I thought about old ways and new ways of connecting with God and one another. I saw children at the church daycare playing outside, realizing that sharing God's grace through serving the neighbor in a daycare still matters. This is still the declared end in mind: to connect with God and others. The means are changing, faster than sometimes I care to admit, yet I don't lament the changes like I thought I might. I'm glad God would still care to use me in an era of rapidly changing means to achieve the ends.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
My relationship with paper and the printed word is slipping away
How is your relationship with paper these days?
Recently my aunt revealed a family artifact from the 1940's. It was a large volume of The Daily (newspaper) from the University of Washington. My Granddad in his college days worked for The Daily in various capacities. The paper itself was heavy, almost like parchment, and the ink had an emerging neon like-quality outlining the black of the nostalgic typeface. The ads depicted products and services likely departed from institutional memory.
"What do we do with it?" First things first, I had to put it down. It was heavy. I thought it might be able to be a coffee table book, assuming the table was the size of a standard door. I wondered if the U Dub would want this archival piece, but I'm sure they have their fair share of archives. "Let's keep it in the family." I appreciated the sentiment, because I will examine the volume one day. In some ways I wasn't sure it was wise to keep. This volume is big, bulky, and a lot of paper. I wondered about the value and usefulness of this paper.
Last night at a meeting, a member of the congregational Transition Team handed me a piece of paper with an article about our work together for the church newsletter. I didn't want the piece of paper. I'm less likely to read the piece if the writing is on paper. I asked her if she could email it to me. I was a little surprised by my request. I immediately started thinking about how I ended my newspaper subscription at the end of November. I like some of the tactile activity of reading the newspaper, but I don't miss it like I thought I would. My cycle of actions is beginning to disengage my life from the printed word. About the only reading I look forward to reading is a letter or card from a family member or friend, or a book I'm looking forward to reading, or for most of my Bible study. I imagine that will change soon, I can't quite get myself to direct 300 dollars toward a Kindle at this time. The iPhone I purchased in October has expedited the shift from paper to electronic communication and reading.
I know others have gone through this transition without much thought, pain or reflection. I can't say what I'm feeling with disengaging from paper is pain. I think that paper is a medium for relationships. My understanding of news and writing came through my relationship with my Granddad and paper. I still like writing and receiving cards from the people I love--especially handwritten cards. The Bible carries a bit more meaning when I turn pages and use my hands with the gentle motion of page turning and using my finger. This is my relationship with God we are talking about.
I can now imagine a day where I am not reading a printed word on paper for hours at a time. Last night I caught a glimpse of that life and the transition I am making. I'm not sure my life will be hurt by this change. That life is definitely different.
Recently my aunt revealed a family artifact from the 1940's. It was a large volume of The Daily (newspaper) from the University of Washington. My Granddad in his college days worked for The Daily in various capacities. The paper itself was heavy, almost like parchment, and the ink had an emerging neon like-quality outlining the black of the nostalgic typeface. The ads depicted products and services likely departed from institutional memory.
"What do we do with it?" First things first, I had to put it down. It was heavy. I thought it might be able to be a coffee table book, assuming the table was the size of a standard door. I wondered if the U Dub would want this archival piece, but I'm sure they have their fair share of archives. "Let's keep it in the family." I appreciated the sentiment, because I will examine the volume one day. In some ways I wasn't sure it was wise to keep. This volume is big, bulky, and a lot of paper. I wondered about the value and usefulness of this paper.
Last night at a meeting, a member of the congregational Transition Team handed me a piece of paper with an article about our work together for the church newsletter. I didn't want the piece of paper. I'm less likely to read the piece if the writing is on paper. I asked her if she could email it to me. I was a little surprised by my request. I immediately started thinking about how I ended my newspaper subscription at the end of November. I like some of the tactile activity of reading the newspaper, but I don't miss it like I thought I would. My cycle of actions is beginning to disengage my life from the printed word. About the only reading I look forward to reading is a letter or card from a family member or friend, or a book I'm looking forward to reading, or for most of my Bible study. I imagine that will change soon, I can't quite get myself to direct 300 dollars toward a Kindle at this time. The iPhone I purchased in October has expedited the shift from paper to electronic communication and reading.
I know others have gone through this transition without much thought, pain or reflection. I can't say what I'm feeling with disengaging from paper is pain. I think that paper is a medium for relationships. My understanding of news and writing came through my relationship with my Granddad and paper. I still like writing and receiving cards from the people I love--especially handwritten cards. The Bible carries a bit more meaning when I turn pages and use my hands with the gentle motion of page turning and using my finger. This is my relationship with God we are talking about.
I can now imagine a day where I am not reading a printed word on paper for hours at a time. Last night I caught a glimpse of that life and the transition I am making. I'm not sure my life will be hurt by this change. That life is definitely different.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Follow up on Klosterman's "Eating The Dinosaur"
A few days ago I reviewed Chuck Klosterman's new book, "Eating The Dinosaur." The quality of his writing from my perspective has increased over the years because his writing continues to make me think, and I've looked for ways to continue reflection on the book's theme of reality construction.
I've been curious about his media presence. I don't think Klosterman keeps a Facebook page, and he doesn't use Twitter or blog. Some have criticized him for not being public enough with his thoughts and work. However, Klosterman does do speaking engagements and appears regularly enough on ESPN's Bill Simmons' podcast "The B.S. Report (see December 21)" for me to say that he's not a recluse, but choosy or even strategic about how he presents himself to the public. I think it would be impossible for Klosterman to be a recluse, considering his analysis of public interaction and reality construction. He is choosing to construct reality in a different way. I'm reading Douglas Coupland's new book (to be reviewed soon) "Generation A" and I have pondered why Coupland uses Twitter, but not Facebook. I think for us introverts, we are a little more thoughtful about how we construct reality, as opposed to those who prefer extroversion who get out there and make the contact, using whatever means possible. I don't want to diagnose Klosterman or Coupland, but when I think about social media and communication, I find it interesting the combination of communication employed.
I lift up the aforementioned podcast to further affirm Klosterman's implicit theological and philosophical thinking. He briefly discusses nihilism and more deeply the idiom of rock and roll. I think nihilism is an important topic for Christians to consider as we engage in conversations with agnostics and atheists in our world. My favorite contemporary nihilist is Dr. Gregory House on Fox Monday night television lineup. I still think he needs a better theological challenge from a storyline or character in the show, but I find House's atheism far more interesting than what is offered by the neo-atheist authors of the day like Harris or Hitchens. Klosterman briefly touches on the idea of a public perception of nihilism. He didn't expand upon the thought with depth, but the offering was sufficiently provocative.
The other interesting topic on the podcast interview is the discussion of what Klosterman calls "The Rock and Roll idiom." I think this is an important argument between Klosterman and Simmons with an application toward the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHF), because Simmons argues for much more distinct genres of music, whereas Klosterman is much more comfortable with "the Rock and Roll idiom" reflected in the RRHF. I think this kind of discussion is pertinent to worship and music, especially in my experience with Mainline Protestant congregations--because we continue to have an oversimplified public discourse depicting a false dichotomy of "traditional" and "contemporary" music. If there is more creative discussion about worship and music somewhere, I would enjoy reading your comments, input, suggestions and leads.
If you don't have the time to read Klosterman and want an introduction to his thought processes, take a listen to the podcast and see if reading his book will be worth an investment in your time.
I've been curious about his media presence. I don't think Klosterman keeps a Facebook page, and he doesn't use Twitter or blog. Some have criticized him for not being public enough with his thoughts and work. However, Klosterman does do speaking engagements and appears regularly enough on ESPN's Bill Simmons' podcast "The B.S. Report (see December 21)" for me to say that he's not a recluse, but choosy or even strategic about how he presents himself to the public. I think it would be impossible for Klosterman to be a recluse, considering his analysis of public interaction and reality construction. He is choosing to construct reality in a different way. I'm reading Douglas Coupland's new book (to be reviewed soon) "Generation A" and I have pondered why Coupland uses Twitter, but not Facebook. I think for us introverts, we are a little more thoughtful about how we construct reality, as opposed to those who prefer extroversion who get out there and make the contact, using whatever means possible. I don't want to diagnose Klosterman or Coupland, but when I think about social media and communication, I find it interesting the combination of communication employed.
I lift up the aforementioned podcast to further affirm Klosterman's implicit theological and philosophical thinking. He briefly discusses nihilism and more deeply the idiom of rock and roll. I think nihilism is an important topic for Christians to consider as we engage in conversations with agnostics and atheists in our world. My favorite contemporary nihilist is Dr. Gregory House on Fox Monday night television lineup. I still think he needs a better theological challenge from a storyline or character in the show, but I find House's atheism far more interesting than what is offered by the neo-atheist authors of the day like Harris or Hitchens. Klosterman briefly touches on the idea of a public perception of nihilism. He didn't expand upon the thought with depth, but the offering was sufficiently provocative.
The other interesting topic on the podcast interview is the discussion of what Klosterman calls "The Rock and Roll idiom." I think this is an important argument between Klosterman and Simmons with an application toward the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (RRHF), because Simmons argues for much more distinct genres of music, whereas Klosterman is much more comfortable with "the Rock and Roll idiom" reflected in the RRHF. I think this kind of discussion is pertinent to worship and music, especially in my experience with Mainline Protestant congregations--because we continue to have an oversimplified public discourse depicting a false dichotomy of "traditional" and "contemporary" music. If there is more creative discussion about worship and music somewhere, I would enjoy reading your comments, input, suggestions and leads.
If you don't have the time to read Klosterman and want an introduction to his thought processes, take a listen to the podcast and see if reading his book will be worth an investment in your time.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Affirmation of coaching (and other solid relationships) for clergy (and those who support clergy)
Since the beginning of my time in ordained ministry, I have sought the guidance of wise people for serving out my call. I took to heart the words of caution from my first bishop, Peter Rogness, in the Greater Milwaukee Synod (GMS). He said that pastors who isolated themselves tended to find themselves in the most trouble. He knew this common denominator well--when Melanie and I arrived in the GMS in 1998, the Synod had experienced several changes in the clergy roster due to sexual misconduct, including my first call congregation, Our Savior's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hartland. Over the years I have seen the consequences of pastors who isolate themselves. The results are not pretty.
Isolation is a more tricky concept in this age of social networking via the Internet. Pastors can have contact with all kinds of people, yet they can strictly manage their contact, as social networking in this manner doesn't relay communication like body language. It's much easier to retreat when one is uncomfortable with the subject matter. Good networking in this day and age for pastors involves multiple levels of contact outside relationships with people in the congregation: basic friendships, collegial relationships, mentoring relationships, spiritual growth relationships, educational relationships and coaching relationships. These relationships need to be spread across various venues. Some of these levels of relationships can overlap, but in essence, I find that I truly break out of an isolation mode when I am surrounded by people who ask me good questions that cause me to reflect on my life and challenge me to act in a way that is pleasing to God (I know that this is not the basis for my relationship with God--it is my response). My wife is really good at this--as it should be--but I also have a cadre of folks who take on this role of offering me good, reflective questions in one form or another. They are certain family members, friends, colleagues, church officials and mentors. Sometimes I contact them out of my own will, other times, they check in with me. Congregation members can sometimes fill this role, but a pastor who only seeks counsel from congregation members has a shallow pool of relationships (this is probably another blog post) and can still be considered isolated.
Yesterday I met online and over the phone with someone I call a coach--though some might call him a consultant. It's been a few years since I hired a coach, but I realized I had a new set of life conditions, working and cultural conditions that called into question my ability to interpret my surroundings. I desire to follow a path faithful to my calling and God's mission in the congregation and community. He asked me questions I had not considered related to the health of the congregation, plans related to the transition, and my own thought processes related to the health and transition at First Lutheran Community Church. This wasn't a synod staff member thinking about lining up candidates for a call process or being concerned about mission support to the Southwestern Washington Synod (these are important points, but not necessarily relevant to my ministry practices). Since I live with a synod staff person, and worked with synod staff in the past, I know it is rare that someone on a staff has a blog of 60 minutes to regularly devote to asking me critical questions about what I am observing and doing in ministry. They have other pressing responsibilities. The session I had with my coach was valuable on many levels. He had great questions and also met with me on gotomeeting.com, pointing me toward wonderful resources that will help me now and in the future.
I didn't want to turn this blog post into a particular commercial for my coach (he works nationally, and sets up great web meetings), but if you are interested in a more detailed level about his work with congregations in transition, let me know and I will get you in touch with him. What I do want to emphasize for my colleagues in ministry and people in congregations that support pastors is to encourage them in developing their web of relationships, and to also consider coaching. What I also appreciate about a coach is that any idea of competitiveness that can occasionally come in collegial interactions is absent with a coach. It's well worth the investment of your time and resources--and an important piece in reflecting and acting faithfully in ministry practices.
Isolation is a more tricky concept in this age of social networking via the Internet. Pastors can have contact with all kinds of people, yet they can strictly manage their contact, as social networking in this manner doesn't relay communication like body language. It's much easier to retreat when one is uncomfortable with the subject matter. Good networking in this day and age for pastors involves multiple levels of contact outside relationships with people in the congregation: basic friendships, collegial relationships, mentoring relationships, spiritual growth relationships, educational relationships and coaching relationships. These relationships need to be spread across various venues. Some of these levels of relationships can overlap, but in essence, I find that I truly break out of an isolation mode when I am surrounded by people who ask me good questions that cause me to reflect on my life and challenge me to act in a way that is pleasing to God (I know that this is not the basis for my relationship with God--it is my response). My wife is really good at this--as it should be--but I also have a cadre of folks who take on this role of offering me good, reflective questions in one form or another. They are certain family members, friends, colleagues, church officials and mentors. Sometimes I contact them out of my own will, other times, they check in with me. Congregation members can sometimes fill this role, but a pastor who only seeks counsel from congregation members has a shallow pool of relationships (this is probably another blog post) and can still be considered isolated.
Yesterday I met online and over the phone with someone I call a coach--though some might call him a consultant. It's been a few years since I hired a coach, but I realized I had a new set of life conditions, working and cultural conditions that called into question my ability to interpret my surroundings. I desire to follow a path faithful to my calling and God's mission in the congregation and community. He asked me questions I had not considered related to the health of the congregation, plans related to the transition, and my own thought processes related to the health and transition at First Lutheran Community Church. This wasn't a synod staff member thinking about lining up candidates for a call process or being concerned about mission support to the Southwestern Washington Synod (these are important points, but not necessarily relevant to my ministry practices). Since I live with a synod staff person, and worked with synod staff in the past, I know it is rare that someone on a staff has a blog of 60 minutes to regularly devote to asking me critical questions about what I am observing and doing in ministry. They have other pressing responsibilities. The session I had with my coach was valuable on many levels. He had great questions and also met with me on gotomeeting.com, pointing me toward wonderful resources that will help me now and in the future.
I didn't want to turn this blog post into a particular commercial for my coach (he works nationally, and sets up great web meetings), but if you are interested in a more detailed level about his work with congregations in transition, let me know and I will get you in touch with him. What I do want to emphasize for my colleagues in ministry and people in congregations that support pastors is to encourage them in developing their web of relationships, and to also consider coaching. What I also appreciate about a coach is that any idea of competitiveness that can occasionally come in collegial interactions is absent with a coach. It's well worth the investment of your time and resources--and an important piece in reflecting and acting faithfully in ministry practices.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Free Bibles on the Way: thoughts on Bibles in Congregational Life
First Lutheran Community Church is the 11th congregation I've served either as pastor or intern. The availability of Bibles and the word of God in those congregations and others where I have worshiped is spotty at best. Some observations and reflections:
+ Some congregations have Bibles in the pews, but in most places, they are not actively used.
+ Some congregations have many Bibles in education rooms, but they can often be old translations, or not suited to the group that meets in that room.
+ Doesn't it feel sinful to get rid of an unusable Bible (because of translation or condition)?
+ What are the important factors in connecting people with the word of God in congregational life? In worship? In Christian education? In encouraging personal and family Bible reading? How are these three segments of Bible use distinct and/or related?
+ Most congregations take for granted that the NRSV is the be all, end all translation for all Bible-related matters.
One of the most joyful legacies for me related to Martin Luther was his translation of the Bible to the language of the people. If I am working with an affirmation of baptism or adult Christian education group, I often spend significant time addressing the importance of this legacy and what it means for the life of faith. I do my best to be intentional about engaging the people of the congregation with the word of God, and I have developed leadership practices that reflect that intentionality.
+ Availability of free Bibles. If we believe that the Bible is instructive for faith and life, let's make the word of God available to people so that they can explore and learn about God's saving love in Jesus! At First Lutheran Community Church in December, Free Bibles will be available for you. You can take one for yourself, you can give it to someone who might use one, you can give it as a gift--whatever. People have made generous donations so that the word of God can flow freely. In some traditions, giving Bibles away is common practice, but the practice seems slow to develop in Lutheran congregations. The Bibles are indeed free to you or anyone who comes to FLCC and asks for one (or more).
+ Availability of Bible translations. I have a strong sense of people's listening ability during a worship service. That sense led me to change my preaching style early in my first congregation after ordination. Moving away from a manuscript made me aware of the oral/auditory connectivity of a Bible passage and a sermon. Though I prefer the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) for Bible study because of its solid scholarship and appropriate gender inclusivity, I think that Bible parallels and use of other translations can be helpful in study as well. I think the NRSV lacks impact and comprehension on the oral/auditory level. In some congregations I have used the New Living Translation or The Message for the purpose of comprehension of a public oral reading (worship). I find that people are much more engaged during preaching when they connect with the lesson being read aloud. There is a trade-off in using the NLT or The Message because of interpretive issues, and I'm not formulaic about implementing more audio-conducive translations. Sometimes I'm not sure if I want to make the interpretation trade-off for the sake of hearing. Some of the auditory issues can be addressed with pew Bibles--but one can't force people in the pews to both listen and read for the greatest comprehension. I believe scripture engagement is important in congregational life, and the quality of that connection takes careful discernment.
+ Use of screens. Is it better to have Bible readings displayed on a screen? Is it more effective to have people become more familiar with Bible use by working with a pew Bible instead of using a screen? Are images that go along with Bible readings more helpful for communicating biblical story themes? What combination of image, audio and translation will offer the best opportunity to more intimately connect with the biblical story?
I am thankful that FLCC leadership has embraced giving away Bibles, and I hope that the way we give away Bibles reflects both hospitality and a desire to connect people to the grace of God. The Bibles will arrive soon, I will keep you posted. If you want to give a donation so that Bibles will continue to be given away freely, please contact me at pastorjoe@wavecable.com
+ Some congregations have Bibles in the pews, but in most places, they are not actively used.
+ Some congregations have many Bibles in education rooms, but they can often be old translations, or not suited to the group that meets in that room.
+ Doesn't it feel sinful to get rid of an unusable Bible (because of translation or condition)?
+ What are the important factors in connecting people with the word of God in congregational life? In worship? In Christian education? In encouraging personal and family Bible reading? How are these three segments of Bible use distinct and/or related?
+ Most congregations take for granted that the NRSV is the be all, end all translation for all Bible-related matters.
One of the most joyful legacies for me related to Martin Luther was his translation of the Bible to the language of the people. If I am working with an affirmation of baptism or adult Christian education group, I often spend significant time addressing the importance of this legacy and what it means for the life of faith. I do my best to be intentional about engaging the people of the congregation with the word of God, and I have developed leadership practices that reflect that intentionality.
+ Availability of free Bibles. If we believe that the Bible is instructive for faith and life, let's make the word of God available to people so that they can explore and learn about God's saving love in Jesus! At First Lutheran Community Church in December, Free Bibles will be available for you. You can take one for yourself, you can give it to someone who might use one, you can give it as a gift--whatever. People have made generous donations so that the word of God can flow freely. In some traditions, giving Bibles away is common practice, but the practice seems slow to develop in Lutheran congregations. The Bibles are indeed free to you or anyone who comes to FLCC and asks for one (or more).
+ Availability of Bible translations. I have a strong sense of people's listening ability during a worship service. That sense led me to change my preaching style early in my first congregation after ordination. Moving away from a manuscript made me aware of the oral/auditory connectivity of a Bible passage and a sermon. Though I prefer the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) for Bible study because of its solid scholarship and appropriate gender inclusivity, I think that Bible parallels and use of other translations can be helpful in study as well. I think the NRSV lacks impact and comprehension on the oral/auditory level. In some congregations I have used the New Living Translation or The Message for the purpose of comprehension of a public oral reading (worship). I find that people are much more engaged during preaching when they connect with the lesson being read aloud. There is a trade-off in using the NLT or The Message because of interpretive issues, and I'm not formulaic about implementing more audio-conducive translations. Sometimes I'm not sure if I want to make the interpretation trade-off for the sake of hearing. Some of the auditory issues can be addressed with pew Bibles--but one can't force people in the pews to both listen and read for the greatest comprehension. I believe scripture engagement is important in congregational life, and the quality of that connection takes careful discernment.
+ Use of screens. Is it better to have Bible readings displayed on a screen? Is it more effective to have people become more familiar with Bible use by working with a pew Bible instead of using a screen? Are images that go along with Bible readings more helpful for communicating biblical story themes? What combination of image, audio and translation will offer the best opportunity to more intimately connect with the biblical story?
I am thankful that FLCC leadership has embraced giving away Bibles, and I hope that the way we give away Bibles reflects both hospitality and a desire to connect people to the grace of God. The Bibles will arrive soon, I will keep you posted. If you want to give a donation so that Bibles will continue to be given away freely, please contact me at pastorjoe@wavecable.com
Thursday, November 12, 2009
New insights cultivated by grief--maybe foundations for a sermon on joy?
What moves someone toward a call to ordained ministry?
I often wondered about the call to ministry while I was in seminary. I met a diverse group of people at Luther Seminary who changed their entire lives to enter a vocation that would often times drive them to immense pain and despair. For example, people uprooted their families or gave up lucrative opportunities either with the student or the spouse, or took on huge amounts of debt. I'm not speaking to the wisdom of these choices, but the motivation behind these choices. Sometimes the call seems inevitable. I met several people who would be third or fourth generation clergy. For others it involved a powerful experience at a Lutheran camp, or a significant connection with a local congregation or pastor. For others becoming a pastor represented a strong faith and cultural heritage. I heard many stories of people who experienced the grace of God in the midst of grief.
I didn't relate to many of these kinds of stories, which made me question my call to ministry. If these were the stories that produced the call to ministry, how was my story going to fit in to the life of the Church as an ordained pastor? If these were the stories of God's people, and the stories of people called to serve in ordained ministry, how was I called to proclaim the Gospel if I didn't share similar experiences with the people I served? I know that sometimes we walk into situations where we are called to share God's love with people in which we have little in common in experience--but sometimes the gaps can be daunting. I recall some leaders in the Church who affirmed my calling and told me to have that call be molded by the Holy Spirit and my own experience, and not to worry so much about the expectations compiled by the human element of the Church. That kind of encouragement sealed my call to ordained ministry as I know it today. How I will live out that calling may change, but I am confident in that call. Sometimes calling gets muddled in the day to day activities of congregational life.
One particular part of ordained ministry that has always challenged me is to be present with grieving people. I don't believe that people receive equal portions of grief in their life or that grief is coming soon for those who haven't experienced much of it, or even that grief is coming for those who somehow "deserve" it. I haven't experienced a large portion of grief in my life. My grandfather (to whom I was very close) died in 2001, and I miss him to this day. But grief is not a prominent emotional experience of my life.
I mightily struggled through my required chaplaincy at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle during the summer of 1995. I was often paralyzed, and other times I tried to follow some kind of pastoral care flow chart that made me look like a buffoon. Though many pastoral care and psychiatric professionals have written about stages of grief and leave lots of room for interpretation, if I've learned anything about grief, I've learned that it's not like following a recipe or a set of instructions for putting together a child's toy. Addressing grief is really about listening--guided by love, trust and wisdom. For all of the grieving families whom I have served over 11 years of ordained ministry, I can see what they experience, and do my best to listen, but the depth of my empathy is somewhat limited. It's taken me about 10 years to realize that that is okay.
Yesterday, my wife and I put to sleep our 12 1/2 year old chocolate lab, Hunter. His health was declining on multiple levels rapidly, and he had lost a lot of who he was. There were a few things that could not be taken away from Hunter, regardless of his health. He would never do anything to intentionally disappoint his people, and all he basically wanted was to be near Melanie, me, and our two daughters. Basic sustenance was secondary to him, all he wanted was our companionship. He never held it over our heads when we weren't able to give him companionship, he always rejoiced in what we could or would give him. We weren't looking forward to the day when we would have to make a decision about his life, we hoped that he would just lay down one night, go to sleep, and not wake up. Though we hoped for something a little easier, we experienced many gifts from Hunter, even as our family prepared to say goodbye to him. I'm glad we were able to say goodbye as we did. Hunter was never alone for the last 72 hours of his life. We gave him some of his favorite treats, took him on his favorite kind of nature walks, took him to the beach, gave him a lot of extra attention and took pictures with him.
The first gift for me in Hunter's last days was to learn more about grief. Grief is creatively paralyzing (at least for me). Though many people don't consider themselves "creative," we each create something every day. Sometimes a creative act involves making meals for a family member, creating hospitality in our everyday interactions, creating wealth so that others can make a living, creating reports so that people can be informed, creating paintings so that others may experience beauty, and so on. Giving is a creative act of love initiated by God, and when we give, we experience and pass on the love poured out in God's creative activity. The past four days I could not put together a coherent thought. The best ministry work I could do was involved tasks I can do on automatic pilot, and even those took more thought than usual. I miss Hunter and all that he did and all that he represents. I thought I heard him stirring in the house last night, but it was some other noise. I looked for him as I woke up in the middle of the night, only to be saddened by his vacancy from a place where we could almost always find him. Melanie and I talked about Hunter until the fatigue of grief overtook our desire to stay awake and talk about Hunter.
In grief I recall the temptation to stay away from anything that produces grief. Giving of self always involves risk--and we do so much to protect ourselves from giving of ourselves. Sometimes the risk of interaction is important to recognize and heed (protection is important). But look at the other side of that safety/risk-averse side of the coin. Look at the society we have "created"--where we put ourselves out in the world, yet we do whatever we can to minimize the risk of basic human interaction. Look at how people interact on Facebook, Twitter, on message boards and blogs. We have caller ID for phones to keep out of unwanted conversations or commerce. We institute passwords or cloaked identities to stay away from possibly damaging interaction. We install security systems to keep away predators. Sometimes people wear headphones to stay out of basic human interaction (I remember living and commuting in Washington D.C., where keeping away from human interaction was an artistic and athletic endeavor). We have fast food and payment systems that take away basic human interaction. We have automated phone answering systems that take away human interaction or farm out that interaction to someone thousands of miles away. Our society is taking away basic human interaction because it's more efficient to do so. Taking away basic human interaction appears very cost effective. To invest in relationships is not cost effective, and it also appears more foolish all the time.
However, God is the primary investor in relationships (does this make God a foolish investor?). This investment is laid out in the creation stories of Genesis. This investment is laid out all over the first five books in the Bible. God gives self and gives to basic human interaction. God does not sidestep relationships for the sake of efficiency. God knows that if we don't interact and relate, we die. Such is the case for a baby. If a baby doesn't have consistent, basic human interaction--they die or come close to it. It's called failure to thrive. Human interaction carries inherent risk. Someone may not understand us. They may reject us. Someone may get angry at me. Someone may do something unkind to you. We experience pain in relationships. But we cannot experience joy without investing in relationships. God's initial creative acts in the world was all set up with risk, yet great love so that we may experience God's love in joy. I hope that in sharing stories about God's action through people affecting people in a positive way through the ministries of First Lutheran Community Church that you have seen that though risky, investment in people is joyful. Though grief may be incredibly painful, it is all part of the joy that we experience in giving love and receiving love. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30), two of the servants are able to risk, yet multiply their gifts because they believe and trust in God's initial creative act. For the third servant, he wants to avoid grief and pain, yet experience more of it because they are not willing to trust in God's investment into relationships. The third servant is afraid to invest in relationships and lives in fear.
An investment in God's work in the world through the Church is a creative act. Your giving to God's work at First Lutheran Community Church is an investment in relationships and basic human interaction filled with God's grace, love and mercy. These investments are inherently risky, especially in a society that does whatever it can to stay away from the risk of human interaction. Through the grief of the death this week of my dog, Hunter, I have seen how much I want to avoid the pain of loss and how paralyzing grief can be. Investing in love is inherently risky, because it never seems to play out like we planned. But we have a God who went great lengths, to the death of God's only son, so that we may know that God's initial creative act of love in the world will never be conquered. Though extending that investment in our own lives seems incredibly risky, when we give in response to God's generosity, we enter into God's joy.
I often wondered about the call to ministry while I was in seminary. I met a diverse group of people at Luther Seminary who changed their entire lives to enter a vocation that would often times drive them to immense pain and despair. For example, people uprooted their families or gave up lucrative opportunities either with the student or the spouse, or took on huge amounts of debt. I'm not speaking to the wisdom of these choices, but the motivation behind these choices. Sometimes the call seems inevitable. I met several people who would be third or fourth generation clergy. For others it involved a powerful experience at a Lutheran camp, or a significant connection with a local congregation or pastor. For others becoming a pastor represented a strong faith and cultural heritage. I heard many stories of people who experienced the grace of God in the midst of grief.
I didn't relate to many of these kinds of stories, which made me question my call to ministry. If these were the stories that produced the call to ministry, how was my story going to fit in to the life of the Church as an ordained pastor? If these were the stories of God's people, and the stories of people called to serve in ordained ministry, how was I called to proclaim the Gospel if I didn't share similar experiences with the people I served? I know that sometimes we walk into situations where we are called to share God's love with people in which we have little in common in experience--but sometimes the gaps can be daunting. I recall some leaders in the Church who affirmed my calling and told me to have that call be molded by the Holy Spirit and my own experience, and not to worry so much about the expectations compiled by the human element of the Church. That kind of encouragement sealed my call to ordained ministry as I know it today. How I will live out that calling may change, but I am confident in that call. Sometimes calling gets muddled in the day to day activities of congregational life.
One particular part of ordained ministry that has always challenged me is to be present with grieving people. I don't believe that people receive equal portions of grief in their life or that grief is coming soon for those who haven't experienced much of it, or even that grief is coming for those who somehow "deserve" it. I haven't experienced a large portion of grief in my life. My grandfather (to whom I was very close) died in 2001, and I miss him to this day. But grief is not a prominent emotional experience of my life.
I mightily struggled through my required chaplaincy at Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle during the summer of 1995. I was often paralyzed, and other times I tried to follow some kind of pastoral care flow chart that made me look like a buffoon. Though many pastoral care and psychiatric professionals have written about stages of grief and leave lots of room for interpretation, if I've learned anything about grief, I've learned that it's not like following a recipe or a set of instructions for putting together a child's toy. Addressing grief is really about listening--guided by love, trust and wisdom. For all of the grieving families whom I have served over 11 years of ordained ministry, I can see what they experience, and do my best to listen, but the depth of my empathy is somewhat limited. It's taken me about 10 years to realize that that is okay.
Yesterday, my wife and I put to sleep our 12 1/2 year old chocolate lab, Hunter. His health was declining on multiple levels rapidly, and he had lost a lot of who he was. There were a few things that could not be taken away from Hunter, regardless of his health. He would never do anything to intentionally disappoint his people, and all he basically wanted was to be near Melanie, me, and our two daughters. Basic sustenance was secondary to him, all he wanted was our companionship. He never held it over our heads when we weren't able to give him companionship, he always rejoiced in what we could or would give him. We weren't looking forward to the day when we would have to make a decision about his life, we hoped that he would just lay down one night, go to sleep, and not wake up. Though we hoped for something a little easier, we experienced many gifts from Hunter, even as our family prepared to say goodbye to him. I'm glad we were able to say goodbye as we did. Hunter was never alone for the last 72 hours of his life. We gave him some of his favorite treats, took him on his favorite kind of nature walks, took him to the beach, gave him a lot of extra attention and took pictures with him.
The first gift for me in Hunter's last days was to learn more about grief. Grief is creatively paralyzing (at least for me). Though many people don't consider themselves "creative," we each create something every day. Sometimes a creative act involves making meals for a family member, creating hospitality in our everyday interactions, creating wealth so that others can make a living, creating reports so that people can be informed, creating paintings so that others may experience beauty, and so on. Giving is a creative act of love initiated by God, and when we give, we experience and pass on the love poured out in God's creative activity. The past four days I could not put together a coherent thought. The best ministry work I could do was involved tasks I can do on automatic pilot, and even those took more thought than usual. I miss Hunter and all that he did and all that he represents. I thought I heard him stirring in the house last night, but it was some other noise. I looked for him as I woke up in the middle of the night, only to be saddened by his vacancy from a place where we could almost always find him. Melanie and I talked about Hunter until the fatigue of grief overtook our desire to stay awake and talk about Hunter.
In grief I recall the temptation to stay away from anything that produces grief. Giving of self always involves risk--and we do so much to protect ourselves from giving of ourselves. Sometimes the risk of interaction is important to recognize and heed (protection is important). But look at the other side of that safety/risk-averse side of the coin. Look at the society we have "created"--where we put ourselves out in the world, yet we do whatever we can to minimize the risk of basic human interaction. Look at how people interact on Facebook, Twitter, on message boards and blogs. We have caller ID for phones to keep out of unwanted conversations or commerce. We institute passwords or cloaked identities to stay away from possibly damaging interaction. We install security systems to keep away predators. Sometimes people wear headphones to stay out of basic human interaction (I remember living and commuting in Washington D.C., where keeping away from human interaction was an artistic and athletic endeavor). We have fast food and payment systems that take away basic human interaction. We have automated phone answering systems that take away human interaction or farm out that interaction to someone thousands of miles away. Our society is taking away basic human interaction because it's more efficient to do so. Taking away basic human interaction appears very cost effective. To invest in relationships is not cost effective, and it also appears more foolish all the time.
However, God is the primary investor in relationships (does this make God a foolish investor?). This investment is laid out in the creation stories of Genesis. This investment is laid out all over the first five books in the Bible. God gives self and gives to basic human interaction. God does not sidestep relationships for the sake of efficiency. God knows that if we don't interact and relate, we die. Such is the case for a baby. If a baby doesn't have consistent, basic human interaction--they die or come close to it. It's called failure to thrive. Human interaction carries inherent risk. Someone may not understand us. They may reject us. Someone may get angry at me. Someone may do something unkind to you. We experience pain in relationships. But we cannot experience joy without investing in relationships. God's initial creative acts in the world was all set up with risk, yet great love so that we may experience God's love in joy. I hope that in sharing stories about God's action through people affecting people in a positive way through the ministries of First Lutheran Community Church that you have seen that though risky, investment in people is joyful. Though grief may be incredibly painful, it is all part of the joy that we experience in giving love and receiving love. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30), two of the servants are able to risk, yet multiply their gifts because they believe and trust in God's initial creative act. For the third servant, he wants to avoid grief and pain, yet experience more of it because they are not willing to trust in God's investment into relationships. The third servant is afraid to invest in relationships and lives in fear.
An investment in God's work in the world through the Church is a creative act. Your giving to God's work at First Lutheran Community Church is an investment in relationships and basic human interaction filled with God's grace, love and mercy. These investments are inherently risky, especially in a society that does whatever it can to stay away from the risk of human interaction. Through the grief of the death this week of my dog, Hunter, I have seen how much I want to avoid the pain of loss and how paralyzing grief can be. Investing in love is inherently risky, because it never seems to play out like we planned. But we have a God who went great lengths, to the death of God's only son, so that we may know that God's initial creative act of love in the world will never be conquered. Though extending that investment in our own lives seems incredibly risky, when we give in response to God's generosity, we enter into God's joy.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Living Sabbath is miserably failing
For most of the 11 years of ordained ministry, taking a day off was an easy thing to do. The day apart was carved into the week and a good habit. These days, Sabbath is consumed, not so much by working too much, but commuting--I've been doing 3-4 hours in the car per day. I'm not sure how to address this new issue. I'm spending a lot of time traversing the Puget Sound, not completing all the tasks I wish to complete. Maybe I'm imagining a lack of productivity. When I spend all that time in the car, the work still has to get done, and some of that work ends up falling on a Friday. My designated Sabbath is a failure at this point.
Even though I loathe the inefficient committee structure, these regular meetings were dependable in that I was reliably present to groups of people in the congregation. I still don't want to go back to that life of committees, but making the best out of my time is a new dynamic. I've always worked toward being a good time steward--I just need to find new ways to do it. For First Lutheran Community Church, the sermon and music matter greatly. The sermon remains a high-investment activity, and the Transition Team will take a significant effort.
I appreciate all of the feedback about the tweets and blogposts--many folks come through the worship and gathering space and thank me for the writing. This writing-feedback cycle is a new paradigm for me in congregational communication--I'm still getting used to it.
Friday is devoted to getting my home in order while intermittently preparing for the Council/Staff Retreat in Silverdale on Saturday. I'll let you know how that goes, because I'm considering widening the circle for what I teach Saturday to the congregation, possibly in a Wednesday evening class.
Even though I loathe the inefficient committee structure, these regular meetings were dependable in that I was reliably present to groups of people in the congregation. I still don't want to go back to that life of committees, but making the best out of my time is a new dynamic. I've always worked toward being a good time steward--I just need to find new ways to do it. For First Lutheran Community Church, the sermon and music matter greatly. The sermon remains a high-investment activity, and the Transition Team will take a significant effort.
I appreciate all of the feedback about the tweets and blogposts--many folks come through the worship and gathering space and thank me for the writing. This writing-feedback cycle is a new paradigm for me in congregational communication--I'm still getting used to it.
Friday is devoted to getting my home in order while intermittently preparing for the Council/Staff Retreat in Silverdale on Saturday. I'll let you know how that goes, because I'm considering widening the circle for what I teach Saturday to the congregation, possibly in a Wednesday evening class.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
A few brief thoughts--too long for a tweet, too short to stand on their own
I'm keeping these thoughts short today because I'm tired and I need to attend to my sick children.
1. Confirmation and the topic of confrimation still gets people all riled up in Lutheran congregations. I remember years ago reading something to the effect of Luther writing/saying, "If we are going to have Confirmation in this Church, you can be assured that God has no part in it." I need to look for this thought in Luther's writings and see how much I've butchered it. What it comes down to is that we are called out to help the people of God fulfill their part in the promises made in baptism. It's not about the rite of passage in and of itself or how much pain is inflicted. The question is--how are the promises going?
2. I appreciate the energy and perspective of the youth during the worship service and wonder why congregational life marginalizes that gift.
3. I think I have sermon series titles/themes: "How To Be Rich In A Troubled Economy" will run from October 25th-November 15th. November 22 we have an outside group coming to lead worship called "Liberty." Our sermon series from November 29-December 27 will be "Tell Me A Story: Bible Stories from the Birth of Jesus." I'm close to a theme for January, but I have some more thinking/praying/discerning to do.
4. It's been interesting following the Christianity 21 conference in Minneapolis this past week. I'm not exactly sure what to say about it, but many mission leaders whom I respect have taken part. I have just about completed the part of my life failing in my attempts to be cool, hip, or on the cutting edge. But I still try to be faithful, and I'm willing to try new things--hence I do things like Twitter and blogging, but I didn't break my back to attempt to get to C21. In earlier years, I would have attempted to do that. I trust that God will work through those in attendance, and that I will learn and be challenged in my own time. I am thankful I am not fighting a negative tide in this congregation.
5. I want my kids to get well and stay well. I hate to watch them suffer.
May the rest of your Sunday and week be peaceful.
1. Confirmation and the topic of confrimation still gets people all riled up in Lutheran congregations. I remember years ago reading something to the effect of Luther writing/saying, "If we are going to have Confirmation in this Church, you can be assured that God has no part in it." I need to look for this thought in Luther's writings and see how much I've butchered it. What it comes down to is that we are called out to help the people of God fulfill their part in the promises made in baptism. It's not about the rite of passage in and of itself or how much pain is inflicted. The question is--how are the promises going?
2. I appreciate the energy and perspective of the youth during the worship service and wonder why congregational life marginalizes that gift.
3. I think I have sermon series titles/themes: "How To Be Rich In A Troubled Economy" will run from October 25th-November 15th. November 22 we have an outside group coming to lead worship called "Liberty." Our sermon series from November 29-December 27 will be "Tell Me A Story: Bible Stories from the Birth of Jesus." I'm close to a theme for January, but I have some more thinking/praying/discerning to do.
4. It's been interesting following the Christianity 21 conference in Minneapolis this past week. I'm not exactly sure what to say about it, but many mission leaders whom I respect have taken part. I have just about completed the part of my life failing in my attempts to be cool, hip, or on the cutting edge. But I still try to be faithful, and I'm willing to try new things--hence I do things like Twitter and blogging, but I didn't break my back to attempt to get to C21. In earlier years, I would have attempted to do that. I trust that God will work through those in attendance, and that I will learn and be challenged in my own time. I am thankful I am not fighting a negative tide in this congregation.
5. I want my kids to get well and stay well. I hate to watch them suffer.
May the rest of your Sunday and week be peaceful.
Monday, October 5, 2009
On Church Communication: The Congregational Newsletter
There once was a day that I considered starting my own business after my own heart--publishing congregational newsletters. In several seasons of life I carried a torch for community journalism, something planted by watching my Granddad's vocation and passing along to me an interest in writing and community.
Many times in the past few years I have lamented that I have not been able to converse with my Granddad about the change in print journalism. He died in 2001. He used to write me letters on his old manual typewriter while in college and seminary, almost always encouraging me to continue writing. He said there would always be demand for good writers. Though I had very little formal training outside of my Granddad's mentoring, his old journalism books and high school classes, I have looked at congregational newsletters and known they could be better. I have met few church office staff and/or volunteers who enjoy creating congregational newsletters. Publication and distribution take a long time. It's hard for paper congregational newsletters to keep up with news displayed on more real-time oriented media--Twitter, blogs, websites, podcasts, even the electronic sign in the FLCC parking lot. Like the newspaper, the newsletter is on life support, and it's becoming more difficult to argue in favor of the resources allocated toward an antiquated medium.
My struggle remains with those who do not use electronic media outlets. Do they not deserve to learn about congregational events, read about what is going on with particular ministries, have an opportunity to connect with God and others through the newsletter? Is there a moral obligation to be in contact with the isolated through print media? I don't know the answers to these questions yet, but I hope readers feel welcome to offer their input. I'm not interested in shutting down the First Lutheran Community Church newsletter, but I believe a reflection upon congregational communication is not only a good reflection for the interim time, but for the Church as well.
Many times in the past few years I have lamented that I have not been able to converse with my Granddad about the change in print journalism. He died in 2001. He used to write me letters on his old manual typewriter while in college and seminary, almost always encouraging me to continue writing. He said there would always be demand for good writers. Though I had very little formal training outside of my Granddad's mentoring, his old journalism books and high school classes, I have looked at congregational newsletters and known they could be better. I have met few church office staff and/or volunteers who enjoy creating congregational newsletters. Publication and distribution take a long time. It's hard for paper congregational newsletters to keep up with news displayed on more real-time oriented media--Twitter, blogs, websites, podcasts, even the electronic sign in the FLCC parking lot. Like the newspaper, the newsletter is on life support, and it's becoming more difficult to argue in favor of the resources allocated toward an antiquated medium.
My struggle remains with those who do not use electronic media outlets. Do they not deserve to learn about congregational events, read about what is going on with particular ministries, have an opportunity to connect with God and others through the newsletter? Is there a moral obligation to be in contact with the isolated through print media? I don't know the answers to these questions yet, but I hope readers feel welcome to offer their input. I'm not interested in shutting down the First Lutheran Community Church newsletter, but I believe a reflection upon congregational communication is not only a good reflection for the interim time, but for the Church as well.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Pinch hitting for Tracy Fitzgerald--leading a class at The Buzz tonight on sermon preparation
Tracy Fitzgerald puts a lot of prep work into leading a class at First Lutheran Community Church. He probably puts me to shame for his level of preparation. He was called away to a family emergency, so I will be stepping into his class on Bible history tonight. Our prayers are with him and his family.
I have a host of topics I could address in 75 minutes for the growth of the multitudes that will attend hoping to see Tracy--but I'm going to be a little selfish. The ideal outcome of this class is that I will gain some insights for my sermon, while also giving the class some background on what goes into sermon preparation (at least my sermon preparation). My goal is that Christ is preached and that the hearer and preacher are connected to God and one another through that preaching. I believe in making a connection--it was a big reason why I began blogging and also abandoned manuscripts in my preparation. Here is an outline of my process, though in no particular order--and each sermon doesn't follow each step.
1. Prayer
2. Read the text (we're going to be reading from Jeremiah 3)
3. Read the context of the Bible passage
4. Consult original languages
5. Thematic considerations
6. What's going on in the world/country/state/community
7. What's going on in the congregation
8. Consult Biblical commentaries
9. Consult social sciences
10. Get together with other preachers
11. Blog
12. Pray
13. Get at least 5 hours of sleep on Saturday night
14. Don't eat too close to preaching time
15. Consult theological writings
16. Share ideas with my wife
17. Is a children's sermon possible?
18. Use of props, images, photos, dramas, movie clips
19. Use of stories (have I previously used that story?)
20. Pray
21. Create a very brief outline
22. Consult different Bible translations.
23. Workingpreacher.org
24. Textweek.com
25. Twitter
26. Pray
27. Bible software
28. Gospel parallel
29. Bible dictionary
30. Music
31. Exercise
32. Google reader/blogs
33. Create Power Point slides
34. Consult with staff
35. Preach the Word of God
36. Make between service adjustments if necessary
37. Create a single sentence answering the question: "what do you want people to know?"
38. Recall past preaching experiences
39. After I get home from preaching--nap and/or television
40. Debrief with Melanie
The process of preparing a sermon amounts to anywhere from 5-15 hours per week, but I feel comfortable around 10-12 hours. My most recent season of preaching has involved the use of blogs and twitter--both my own posts and the posts of others. The process of blogging has given me a platform to clarify my thoughts about a particular text and theme early in the week. I suppose I could have done this in my earlier days of preaching, but blogging has been extremely helpful in this respect. I'm looking forward to the discussion tonight--and if you aren't involved in The Buzz--please feel free to leave your questions or feedback here.
I have a host of topics I could address in 75 minutes for the growth of the multitudes that will attend hoping to see Tracy--but I'm going to be a little selfish. The ideal outcome of this class is that I will gain some insights for my sermon, while also giving the class some background on what goes into sermon preparation (at least my sermon preparation). My goal is that Christ is preached and that the hearer and preacher are connected to God and one another through that preaching. I believe in making a connection--it was a big reason why I began blogging and also abandoned manuscripts in my preparation. Here is an outline of my process, though in no particular order--and each sermon doesn't follow each step.
1. Prayer
2. Read the text (we're going to be reading from Jeremiah 3)
3. Read the context of the Bible passage
4. Consult original languages
5. Thematic considerations
6. What's going on in the world/country/state/community
7. What's going on in the congregation
8. Consult Biblical commentaries
9. Consult social sciences
10. Get together with other preachers
11. Blog
12. Pray
13. Get at least 5 hours of sleep on Saturday night
14. Don't eat too close to preaching time
15. Consult theological writings
16. Share ideas with my wife
17. Is a children's sermon possible?
18. Use of props, images, photos, dramas, movie clips
19. Use of stories (have I previously used that story?)
20. Pray
21. Create a very brief outline
22. Consult different Bible translations.
23. Workingpreacher.org
24. Textweek.com
25. Twitter
26. Pray
27. Bible software
28. Gospel parallel
29. Bible dictionary
30. Music
31. Exercise
32. Google reader/blogs
33. Create Power Point slides
34. Consult with staff
35. Preach the Word of God
36. Make between service adjustments if necessary
37. Create a single sentence answering the question: "what do you want people to know?"
38. Recall past preaching experiences
39. After I get home from preaching--nap and/or television
40. Debrief with Melanie
The process of preparing a sermon amounts to anywhere from 5-15 hours per week, but I feel comfortable around 10-12 hours. My most recent season of preaching has involved the use of blogs and twitter--both my own posts and the posts of others. The process of blogging has given me a platform to clarify my thoughts about a particular text and theme early in the week. I suppose I could have done this in my earlier days of preaching, but blogging has been extremely helpful in this respect. I'm looking forward to the discussion tonight--and if you aren't involved in The Buzz--please feel free to leave your questions or feedback here.
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