I'm preaching my first sermon for senior preaching and worship tomorrow. For our senior year, they decide it's a good idea to give us some hands on stuff to work on. In other words, we get scenarios and then we have to figure out how to preach on them as opposed to the usual look at a text and make something up approach. For our first sermon we are given a scenario for either a funeral or a wedding. I chose funeral because frankly, funeral preaching scares me. So I figured I'd go for it.
I open my scenario sheet and this is what I get:
"Howard drowned at age 44 when his fishing boat turned over. He was probably drunk or high or both. He was baptized and confirmed in your parish, but his membership had lapsed years ago and he never attended. He was involved in several businesses, and according to the town gossip, was a drug dealer. He and his wife had 5 children and have been divorced for some time. He was living with his "fiance" as he has been introducing her for the last 5 years and has 2 young children with her. You know her as a neighbor and a sometime church attender. She has asked you to do the funeral because you're the only pastor she knows and Howard was connected to your parish long ago? You knew Howard only superficially as a gregarious man and that, as people in town say, "you either loved him or hated him."
Whew! Here's another one I've been looking at not for a preaching course but for a practical theology course:
Claurice, 71, was a marginal church member. She hadn't been in church for a couple years, before that Christmas and Easter, funerals and weddings. Upper-middle class, she raised 2 daughters and a son, all of whom are well-educated and have prosperous careers and have no connection with the church. The daughters are married by have no children. You have called on her several times during her final hospital stay. The funeral is in the mortuary.
Daughter Elizabeth was asked to speak for the family and gave the following eulogy:
"Mom, we miss you. We can't think of a single thing to fault you with, since to all of us you have have been nothing but kindness and love... Mom might not have been much of a church-goer, but she didn't need to be. She thought the church was full of hypocritical, judgmental people and didn't need the church to be the kind of great woman she was. She is gone now, but not really. How could she be? Every time I look out the window and see the beautiful cloud formations... she is there... she is here. She lives on... the starts above are her presence, the sun is her warmth and the singing birds her voice. We love you, Mom. You will never die."
Next comes a solo, "To Dream the Impossible Dream," sung by a well-paid stranger, and now it's your turn!
Whew again! If I got to pick, I'm not sure which one I'd go with. But, regardless, as much as we may flinch at these scenarios, the thing is, these are based on real situations. Granted, ever funeral will not be as crazy as these scenarios but stuff like this can still happen. These just seem so ridiculous because we're all given the crazy ones all at once. But, I'm glad for the chance to try these out in front of friends and get insights and feedback. So, onto writing my sermon!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
To live in this world
To do three things:
To love what is mortal;
To hold it
Your own life depends on it’ and, when the time comes to let it go,
To let it go.
“In Blackwater Woods”
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Choices or Life Getting in the Way of Life
Tonight is one of those nights where I hate the fact that I'm good at cramming a lot into one day. Tonight I was supposed to go and see the band The Daredevil Christopher Wright which happens to be composed of some old camp friends who are amazingly talented musicians. But alas, earlier this week I locked in my faculty approval interview for Friday at 3:15. I know you're thinking, 3:15, that's not bad! Go out, have a beer, enjoy some great live music! But of course, I spend all day on Friday before the interview in class. Plus, this is an important interview so it means that I have to get business suited up and look all nice and fresh and professional. Grrr...
So tonight I had to choose between an extra hour and half of sleep and great live music, one of my admitted weaknesses. And well, here I am, not at the show. And it was so hard! These are friends that I haven't seen for over four years! And yet, I had to make the call on my own. As my friend Nick put it when I told him I wasn't coming, it was life getting in the way of life.
It seems like this has been happening more and more as I've gotten older. It seems that as we grow up, our choices impact our life in more profound ways. Instead of simply choosing what to wear in elementary school (considering your parents let you choose...) or what fun electives to take in middle school all of a sudden we were faced with choices that would have bigger ramifications on our future. When we chose classes in high school (honors, AP, IB, etc.) we were not simply choosing for the moment but instead we were thinking about our GPA's and incidentally, our transcript that would influence our future at college. When we started at college, certain majors and career paths needed to be taking certain classes right off the bat. As I've start seminary I've had to make many choices about life. Internship close to home or far away in someplace new? CPE or my chaplaincy during the summer or during the school year? Living on or off campus? What churches do I put down on my internship application form?
And here I am now, facing some of the biggest choices of my life. Where do I want to go after I finish seminary? What locations around the country am I going to put down for my destination for my first three years in ministry? What kind of church and what kind of ministry do I want to go to? And more importantly, how does this work out with my personal life? How does this work out with relationships that important to me, friends and family? How will this place nurture me spiritually, mentally and emotionally? And I know I'm not the only one asking these types of questions right now. Am I on the right career path? Should I go back to school? I just got this great job offer that takes me far from home, what do I do now? These are all huge questions and choices will have to be made that take into account all of these questions.
And truth be told, I'm a bit terrified. How am I supposed to choose in the midst of all of these different things: friends, family, churches, locations, etc. vying for my heart and time? What happens if I make the wrong or a bad choice? Because, I have made my share of bad choices throughout my life, there is no doubt about that. And we all know that all choices have consequences, good and bad. And life has this annoying way of getting in the way of life.
But I can't exactly hide under a rock and avoid making these choices. They're coming one way or another. And all I can do is pray (A LOT) and do the best I can with the choice and hope that I am met with grace on the other side. The funny thing is as I face this all I am reminded of a sermon that I preached not even six months ago. My point was that God is causing everything, all of our good choices and bad choices to work out for the good and work toward our final destination, a full life, an eternal life with our Lord (see the story of Joseph in Genesis). Therefore, we are called to live a life of hope, a life where we can trust that nothing, not even any bad life choices we may make, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. And here I am, six months later, clinging to these words that I wrote back in March, that I believed fiercely then, and believe even more fiercely and boldly now. Tonight was a small choice among a year of bigger ones yet to come. So, here I go!
So tonight I had to choose between an extra hour and half of sleep and great live music, one of my admitted weaknesses. And well, here I am, not at the show. And it was so hard! These are friends that I haven't seen for over four years! And yet, I had to make the call on my own. As my friend Nick put it when I told him I wasn't coming, it was life getting in the way of life.
It seems like this has been happening more and more as I've gotten older. It seems that as we grow up, our choices impact our life in more profound ways. Instead of simply choosing what to wear in elementary school (considering your parents let you choose...) or what fun electives to take in middle school all of a sudden we were faced with choices that would have bigger ramifications on our future. When we chose classes in high school (honors, AP, IB, etc.) we were not simply choosing for the moment but instead we were thinking about our GPA's and incidentally, our transcript that would influence our future at college. When we started at college, certain majors and career paths needed to be taking certain classes right off the bat. As I've start seminary I've had to make many choices about life. Internship close to home or far away in someplace new? CPE or my chaplaincy during the summer or during the school year? Living on or off campus? What churches do I put down on my internship application form?
And here I am now, facing some of the biggest choices of my life. Where do I want to go after I finish seminary? What locations around the country am I going to put down for my destination for my first three years in ministry? What kind of church and what kind of ministry do I want to go to? And more importantly, how does this work out with my personal life? How does this work out with relationships that important to me, friends and family? How will this place nurture me spiritually, mentally and emotionally? And I know I'm not the only one asking these types of questions right now. Am I on the right career path? Should I go back to school? I just got this great job offer that takes me far from home, what do I do now? These are all huge questions and choices will have to be made that take into account all of these questions.
And truth be told, I'm a bit terrified. How am I supposed to choose in the midst of all of these different things: friends, family, churches, locations, etc. vying for my heart and time? What happens if I make the wrong or a bad choice? Because, I have made my share of bad choices throughout my life, there is no doubt about that. And we all know that all choices have consequences, good and bad. And life has this annoying way of getting in the way of life.
But I can't exactly hide under a rock and avoid making these choices. They're coming one way or another. And all I can do is pray (A LOT) and do the best I can with the choice and hope that I am met with grace on the other side. The funny thing is as I face this all I am reminded of a sermon that I preached not even six months ago. My point was that God is causing everything, all of our good choices and bad choices to work out for the good and work toward our final destination, a full life, an eternal life with our Lord (see the story of Joseph in Genesis). Therefore, we are called to live a life of hope, a life where we can trust that nothing, not even any bad life choices we may make, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. And here I am, six months later, clinging to these words that I wrote back in March, that I believed fiercely then, and believe even more fiercely and boldly now. Tonight was a small choice among a year of bigger ones yet to come. So, here I go!
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
I Love the Fall!
There's something about the end of September and the month of October that I simply love. Part of it is the cooler weather, the opportunity to sleep with the windows open and snuggle beneath multiple blankets. The colors are changing around the Twin Cities and it is simply breathtaking when I drive over the MN River Valley on the way to my CPE site. I also get to dig out all my sweaters, long-sleeved shirts, and sweatshirts which means my wardrobe nearly doubles. However, a huge part of it is the MLB playoff push. I remember three years ago when the Red Sox came back from a three game deficit to pummel the Yankees in Game 7 of the ALCS. I remember two years ago when the MN Twins made the historic run to the playoffs when only a couple of months ago they were struggling to stay above .500. What I will take from this year is the Rockies' streak to the World Series. Let me give you a few facts (courtesy of ESPN.com)
They've won 21 of its last 22 games.
They were only four games over .500 on Sept. 15, two weeks before the season ended and the playoffs began.
They were six games out of the wild-card race in September.
They were 4.5 games back with only nine games left to play.
They were two games behind with only two games to play.
After they had won their last game the Padres were only 1 strike away from clinching the wild-card in their final game thus disqualifying the Rockies.
They were two runs behind in the 13th inning of the mini-playoff game against the Padres.
And yet, here they are, ready for their first World Series with a group of players that have been relatively unknown till this streak. Who the heck is Todd Helton, Josh Fogg, Matt Holliday, or Seth Smith? And it is these relatively unknown players that have now become MVP's and heroes.
Why am I so fascinated with this team and this story? I love the underdog, there's no way around that but that's not the whole story. The Rockies also remind me a bit of the MN Twins last year who took the AL Central division crown the very last game of the season to cap off an incredible come-from-behind-run only to lose it in the playoffs. But there's something more to this. Through this whole story, even before the first game of the World Series will even be played and whether they win or lose (I'm hoping that they win), they have accomplished the impossible. And they have accomplished the impossible not with big names and big salaries but with a heckuva lot of determination and heart. How do you not love that? I like to believe in miracles and I think this qualifies as a sporting miracle. So, Go Rockies!!!
They've won 21 of its last 22 games.
They were only four games over .500 on Sept. 15, two weeks before the season ended and the playoffs began.
They were six games out of the wild-card race in September.
They were 4.5 games back with only nine games left to play.
They were two games behind with only two games to play.
After they had won their last game the Padres were only 1 strike away from clinching the wild-card in their final game thus disqualifying the Rockies.
They were two runs behind in the 13th inning of the mini-playoff game against the Padres.
And yet, here they are, ready for their first World Series with a group of players that have been relatively unknown till this streak. Who the heck is Todd Helton, Josh Fogg, Matt Holliday, or Seth Smith? And it is these relatively unknown players that have now become MVP's and heroes.
Why am I so fascinated with this team and this story? I love the underdog, there's no way around that but that's not the whole story. The Rockies also remind me a bit of the MN Twins last year who took the AL Central division crown the very last game of the season to cap off an incredible come-from-behind-run only to lose it in the playoffs. But there's something more to this. Through this whole story, even before the first game of the World Series will even be played and whether they win or lose (I'm hoping that they win), they have accomplished the impossible. And they have accomplished the impossible not with big names and big salaries but with a heckuva lot of determination and heart. How do you not love that? I like to believe in miracles and I think this qualifies as a sporting miracle. So, Go Rockies!!!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Midterms
Seriously, how is this semester almost halfway over already? Needless to say, I'm a bit swamped right now, hence the lack of posting. Here are a couple quick thoughts.
-Trying to remember how to write papers and especially also the lines of exegesis = not fun (and for those of you who don't know what exegesis means, neither do I really. I just kind of make stuff up and talk about a Biblical text and what it might mean)
-Why do midterms have to coincide with the MLB playoffs? I feel that this is just cruel, especially when I really want to stay up and watch the Rockies attempt a sweep tonight.
Alright, I'm done complaining. Now off to bed! I promise I'll post something more substantial after I finish my Job project/paper or when I desperately need a distraction from said project/paper.
-Trying to remember how to write papers and especially also the lines of exegesis = not fun (and for those of you who don't know what exegesis means, neither do I really. I just kind of make stuff up and talk about a Biblical text and what it might mean)
-Why do midterms have to coincide with the MLB playoffs? I feel that this is just cruel, especially when I really want to stay up and watch the Rockies attempt a sweep tonight.
Alright, I'm done complaining. Now off to bed! I promise I'll post something more substantial after I finish my Job project/paper or when I desperately need a distraction from said project/paper.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Only Connect
Sorry for the lack of posting for the past week. It's been a challenge to blog this week for me. The funny thing is it's not about not having things to write about and big topics on my mind. Instead, this week has suddenly thrown so much in face that touches on my past and on my unforeseen future. That and everything that's happened is highly personal and doesn't seem proper to put on a blog. Instead, these are things that I will ponder in my heart for years to come.
But, in the midst of this I feel like I've touched on the bigger picture. I've been reminded of how the most unexpected people can become some of your best friends. I've seen that taking life one week at a time isn't really an option for me anymore, I need to look at the big picture. For the first time in my life I feel like I'm giving the system the proverbial finger and it feels really good! I've seen with old friends how some things never change and how they change so quickly you wonder how things became so different in such a short time. I've been reminded that the pain of loss never really goes away because there are always those around you experiencing the same thing you did years ago. One of my old mentors has now started treating me as a colleague which is exciting and scary at the same time. When did I grow up? I've jumped in to new and old friendships and relationships painfully aware that my time in this community has an expiration date that will come faster than any of us can anticipate.
In the midst of this I'm reminded how important these relationships are and how I'm not meant to go through this alone. I watched an episode of one of my favorite shows last night, Joan of Arcadia, called "Only Connect." It's about keeping communication lines open with those around us that we love. I'm reminded of this more than ever now. It's so easy to lose touch, to not make that extra effort to keep in touch and keep communication open. I'm being reminded constantly that the only way I'm going to make it through this week, this semester, this year, and the years to come is if I keep talking to people, if I keep communicating, if I keep connecting. It can be a lonely journey and I know I need all the help I can get.
But, in the midst of this I feel like I've touched on the bigger picture. I've been reminded of how the most unexpected people can become some of your best friends. I've seen that taking life one week at a time isn't really an option for me anymore, I need to look at the big picture. For the first time in my life I feel like I'm giving the system the proverbial finger and it feels really good! I've seen with old friends how some things never change and how they change so quickly you wonder how things became so different in such a short time. I've been reminded that the pain of loss never really goes away because there are always those around you experiencing the same thing you did years ago. One of my old mentors has now started treating me as a colleague which is exciting and scary at the same time. When did I grow up? I've jumped in to new and old friendships and relationships painfully aware that my time in this community has an expiration date that will come faster than any of us can anticipate.
In the midst of this I'm reminded how important these relationships are and how I'm not meant to go through this alone. I watched an episode of one of my favorite shows last night, Joan of Arcadia, called "Only Connect." It's about keeping communication lines open with those around us that we love. I'm reminded of this more than ever now. It's so easy to lose touch, to not make that extra effort to keep in touch and keep communication open. I'm being reminded constantly that the only way I'm going to make it through this week, this semester, this year, and the years to come is if I keep talking to people, if I keep communicating, if I keep connecting. It can be a lonely journey and I know I need all the help I can get.
Friday, September 28, 2007
The Power of Presence
It's been a week. There's no other way to put it. Between a massive pile of homework being dumped on my head, to being called into the hospital on Monday night, to trying to decide between work and play it's been a week full of surprises both pleasant and not so pleasant.
However, in the midst of all of this, I finally learned what ministry of presence means. Ministry of presence is the fancy term we use in pastoral care that means that in a crisis situation your simple presence is enough to minister to the group of people involved with the crisis. You don't have to do anything or say anything really, you being there is simply enough. Your presence ministers to these people.
Now, for those of you who know me well, you know I am a person of action. I'm a do-er. I'm generally in the middle of the action or I'm instigating action. This whole ministry of presence thing is new to me in a way. Sure, I did a little of that at my internship but I was always the back-up person. There were three other pastors above me so I generally didn't work with these types of situations.
But this week I was faced with stories and events that really showed me how meaningful it can be to simple just be there. As I read the story of Job and hear about his three friends who come and sit with Job through his suffering, after he has lost nearly everything and simply be with him. Granted, then they started talking and it all went downhill from there but that initial presence, acknowledging his suffering was a powerful witness and it gave him the space to start talking about what he was going through.
As I continue my work as a chaplain, I find this more and more. I am put in situations where I have no words, where the situation is over my head and I have nothing to say and yet, me being there is enough. It's quite something for this action oriented person to wrap her head around. And yet, it's something I think we've all experienced. When we've had a bad day and a friend doesn't even know what happened but somehow knows to give you a great big hug and doesn't even have to say a word. How simply having a shoulder to cry on can make all the different during a difficult time.
Just be. Just be there. And the grace of God will fill in the rest.
However, in the midst of all of this, I finally learned what ministry of presence means. Ministry of presence is the fancy term we use in pastoral care that means that in a crisis situation your simple presence is enough to minister to the group of people involved with the crisis. You don't have to do anything or say anything really, you being there is simply enough. Your presence ministers to these people.
Now, for those of you who know me well, you know I am a person of action. I'm a do-er. I'm generally in the middle of the action or I'm instigating action. This whole ministry of presence thing is new to me in a way. Sure, I did a little of that at my internship but I was always the back-up person. There were three other pastors above me so I generally didn't work with these types of situations.
But this week I was faced with stories and events that really showed me how meaningful it can be to simple just be there. As I read the story of Job and hear about his three friends who come and sit with Job through his suffering, after he has lost nearly everything and simply be with him. Granted, then they started talking and it all went downhill from there but that initial presence, acknowledging his suffering was a powerful witness and it gave him the space to start talking about what he was going through.
As I continue my work as a chaplain, I find this more and more. I am put in situations where I have no words, where the situation is over my head and I have nothing to say and yet, me being there is enough. It's quite something for this action oriented person to wrap her head around. And yet, it's something I think we've all experienced. When we've had a bad day and a friend doesn't even know what happened but somehow knows to give you a great big hug and doesn't even have to say a word. How simply having a shoulder to cry on can make all the different during a difficult time.
Just be. Just be there. And the grace of God will fill in the rest.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Closing Out the Season
It's official. I went to my last Twins game of the season on Saturday. Four Twins games in the 5 weeks I've been back in MN isn't too bad. However, my record at the Twins games hasn't been so good (o-4, ouch!). However, there was a silver lining to all of this.
Friday's game was a hoot partially because of the company (my roomie Becca and our friend Nick) and partially because the game was actually exciting (despite the fact that we lost). Plus, since Nick has such a loud voice and really likes to shout the entire game, I felt like I could yell a little more than usual because, well, no one could hear me anyway.
Saturday was a last minute decision. I was supposed to spend the day in the library working on a paper and reading for seminary but I got an offer I couldn't refuse. My friend, Corey, had amazing seats. We were five rows up from the dugout on the edge of the home plate end. It was AMAZING!!!
Yeah, that's my view of Tori Hunter without a zoom.
However, the highlight of the game for me was completely unexpected. As I was walking to our section in the Dome with Corey and his parents I was stopped by a young woman who started asking me, "Are you interested..." and I immediately thought, "Great, she's going to try and sell me a credit card." However, she finished, "...in being a part of one of our promotions?"
...What?! Wait a minute? "Sure!" is thankfully what pops out of my mouth! So, I'm told I'm going to have to guess how many air miles it is from the Dome to some other place in the US. Whoa! I get a pass to the press box and am told to show up in the middle of the third. Oh yeah, and this is all going to be on the jumbotron!!!!!
So, I watch the Twins play the first 3 innings and obediently head to the press box. They explain the game to me: they'll give me two cities and I need to guess the air miles within 200 and then I get a prize. Granted, I'll get a prize one way or another. So, deep breath, smile for the camera that is literally right in my face, and here we go...
How many miles are there between the Metrodome and Petco Park in San Diego? I'm quickly doing the math in my head. It's around 950 miles to Charlotte. I think LA is 175% of that which is close to San Diego so...
My guess = 1672
Actual mileage = 1522
Which means I win!!! I won a pink Twins hat!!! Crazyness! And as I went back to down to our amazing seats people actually recognized me and cheered. It was a weird feeling but it was definitely joyous! So, my claim to fame now: I've been on the Metrodome Jumbotron!
Friday's game was a hoot partially because of the company (my roomie Becca and our friend Nick) and partially because the game was actually exciting (despite the fact that we lost). Plus, since Nick has such a loud voice and really likes to shout the entire game, I felt like I could yell a little more than usual because, well, no one could hear me anyway.
Saturday was a last minute decision. I was supposed to spend the day in the library working on a paper and reading for seminary but I got an offer I couldn't refuse. My friend, Corey, had amazing seats. We were five rows up from the dugout on the edge of the home plate end. It was AMAZING!!!
Yeah, that's my view of Tori Hunter without a zoom.
However, the highlight of the game for me was completely unexpected. As I was walking to our section in the Dome with Corey and his parents I was stopped by a young woman who started asking me, "Are you interested..." and I immediately thought, "Great, she's going to try and sell me a credit card." However, she finished, "...in being a part of one of our promotions?"
...What?! Wait a minute? "Sure!" is thankfully what pops out of my mouth! So, I'm told I'm going to have to guess how many air miles it is from the Dome to some other place in the US. Whoa! I get a pass to the press box and am told to show up in the middle of the third. Oh yeah, and this is all going to be on the jumbotron!!!!!
So, I watch the Twins play the first 3 innings and obediently head to the press box. They explain the game to me: they'll give me two cities and I need to guess the air miles within 200 and then I get a prize. Granted, I'll get a prize one way or another. So, deep breath, smile for the camera that is literally right in my face, and here we go...
How many miles are there between the Metrodome and Petco Park in San Diego? I'm quickly doing the math in my head. It's around 950 miles to Charlotte. I think LA is 175% of that which is close to San Diego so...
My guess = 1672
Actual mileage = 1522
Which means I win!!! I won a pink Twins hat!!! Crazyness! And as I went back to down to our amazing seats people actually recognized me and cheered. It was a weird feeling but it was definitely joyous! So, my claim to fame now: I've been on the Metrodome Jumbotron!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Fear
Today is one of those days where I wondered what the heck I was getting myself into.
There is a class that we have to take as seniors returning from internship, Exercises in Biblical Theology. No one really knows what the class is but we all have to take it. But, I have really great professors that I trust to do the money I'm spending on this class justice. So far it's been really practical and all about using what we've learning in our past two years in seminary classes and our year on internship and applying it to what we might be doing in our future parishes.
Now, you've all have probably figured out that I had an amazing year on internship. I was a church that was healthy and passionate and all about growing in faith, spirit, and service. It was a near perfect fit and I absolutely loved it there.
Today we got to hear some stories of some not so perfect fits. We got to hear about some congregations that could easily eat a pastor alive. There were stories of the congregations that claimed they wanted change but when the pastor tried to enact the change they were called to do, members of the congregation would resist with a vengeance. There was lying, false accusations against the pastors, drama, drama, drama, and so much more. Granted, we're all human and all capable of doing awful things to each other, myself included. That is not the point of the story though.
The point is, this scared the crap out of my friends and I. I think we all knew that this was a reality, that there are congregations out there that are full of conflict and that we might eventually be called to one. However, that reality hit us full out tonight. Are we prepared to go to call like those that were described to us in detail? NO! At least, I'm not. I have no idea what to do in a congregation like that.
My fear is not only of being placed in this situation but also what can happen to people in that situation. And you wonder why there is so much burnout in church leadership positions? And yet, thought it scares many of us, it is something that needs to be done. These congregations deserve to have a pastor as much as any other congregation. So, how do we swallow our fear of being eaten alive and face this head on? I'm not quite sure. And honestly, a little bit of fear does us good sometimes. Right now it reminds me that I have a long way to go before I'm a pastor in that type of situation. And I guess if I find myself placed at a call like that all I can do is pray and lean heavily on God, my friends and family, and also hopefully the synod.
But, yeah, what the heck have I gotten myself into? :)
There is a class that we have to take as seniors returning from internship, Exercises in Biblical Theology. No one really knows what the class is but we all have to take it. But, I have really great professors that I trust to do the money I'm spending on this class justice. So far it's been really practical and all about using what we've learning in our past two years in seminary classes and our year on internship and applying it to what we might be doing in our future parishes.
Now, you've all have probably figured out that I had an amazing year on internship. I was a church that was healthy and passionate and all about growing in faith, spirit, and service. It was a near perfect fit and I absolutely loved it there.
Today we got to hear some stories of some not so perfect fits. We got to hear about some congregations that could easily eat a pastor alive. There were stories of the congregations that claimed they wanted change but when the pastor tried to enact the change they were called to do, members of the congregation would resist with a vengeance. There was lying, false accusations against the pastors, drama, drama, drama, and so much more. Granted, we're all human and all capable of doing awful things to each other, myself included. That is not the point of the story though.
The point is, this scared the crap out of my friends and I. I think we all knew that this was a reality, that there are congregations out there that are full of conflict and that we might eventually be called to one. However, that reality hit us full out tonight. Are we prepared to go to call like those that were described to us in detail? NO! At least, I'm not. I have no idea what to do in a congregation like that.
My fear is not only of being placed in this situation but also what can happen to people in that situation. And you wonder why there is so much burnout in church leadership positions? And yet, thought it scares many of us, it is something that needs to be done. These congregations deserve to have a pastor as much as any other congregation. So, how do we swallow our fear of being eaten alive and face this head on? I'm not quite sure. And honestly, a little bit of fear does us good sometimes. Right now it reminds me that I have a long way to go before I'm a pastor in that type of situation. And I guess if I find myself placed at a call like that all I can do is pray and lean heavily on God, my friends and family, and also hopefully the synod.
But, yeah, what the heck have I gotten myself into? :)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Good Sermons
The other week I went with a couple of friends to the place to see and be seen. It's a hip church service for young adults. It's overpopulated with MIAC graduates (MN private colleges) and young adults from around the Twin Cities. I've been a couple of times and thought I'd check it out again to see what they're doing. It always attracts a huge crowd and people can be seen sitting on the floor and in the aisles. In other words, they must be doing something right.
They had a guest speaker this week, an author of a book. He also fits in the category of young adult (a 20-30 something) and fit the part. We began worship with three songs (only three songs?) and then turned the floor over to the speaker. He was fairly entertaining which was good because he spoke for an HOUR! I tuned in because I was curious where he was going. He talked about defining moments and discerning God's will for our lives which are both topics I had preached on at internship. However, his sermon was littered with stories that had nothing to do with his topic. As soon as I thought I knew where he was going, he completely changed gears. I tried to follow his line of thought but had no real idea where he had been, how he had gotten the amusing story he was talking about now, or how in the heck he was going to wrap all these stories together. Well, in the end he didn't wrap half of his stories together and I was left wondering what in the world had just happened.
I had no idea what the point was. A lot of times people will associate a certain story with the central point. There was no such luck in that department. Granted, his stories were entertaining. It was just frustrating because I was sitting there thinking, alright, this is funny but you're wasting my time with a story that has nothing to do with the point of the sermon and could have easily been cut out.
But though I didn't get it, I talked to people afterwards and they really connected with what he was saying. They didn't know the point either but they were entertained and had gleaned little pieces of wisdom from the story. One of my friends even said that his talk was that extra push she needed to think more seriously about her potential call to ministry in a church. Whoa!
I have no idea what happened there. Somewhere in that mess of a sermon, people were getting something out of it. And I had to take another look at what I considered to be a good sermon? Is it the stories I use? Is it the organization or lack thereof? Is it the scripture? Is it the humor?
Honestly, I don't have a good answer. Do I think he did a good job as a preacher? Eh. Not really. As a Lutheran preacher, I didn't hear a lot about grace. It was all about what I can do for God and for my neighbor. Nothing about how I'm forgiven. And I think that is essential to qualify something as a good sermon. Tell me what God has done for me, not what I can do for God. But, even though that part was missing, somehow what he said spoke to people and where they were at. He met this group of people where they were in their lives. And I think that's the lesson from all of this that I need to keep in mind as I go to preach. Now will I ever preach for an hour and include stories that have nothing to do with the topic and not have a real point. I certainly hope not.
They had a guest speaker this week, an author of a book. He also fits in the category of young adult (a 20-30 something) and fit the part. We began worship with three songs (only three songs?) and then turned the floor over to the speaker. He was fairly entertaining which was good because he spoke for an HOUR! I tuned in because I was curious where he was going. He talked about defining moments and discerning God's will for our lives which are both topics I had preached on at internship. However, his sermon was littered with stories that had nothing to do with his topic. As soon as I thought I knew where he was going, he completely changed gears. I tried to follow his line of thought but had no real idea where he had been, how he had gotten the amusing story he was talking about now, or how in the heck he was going to wrap all these stories together. Well, in the end he didn't wrap half of his stories together and I was left wondering what in the world had just happened.
I had no idea what the point was. A lot of times people will associate a certain story with the central point. There was no such luck in that department. Granted, his stories were entertaining. It was just frustrating because I was sitting there thinking, alright, this is funny but you're wasting my time with a story that has nothing to do with the point of the sermon and could have easily been cut out.
But though I didn't get it, I talked to people afterwards and they really connected with what he was saying. They didn't know the point either but they were entertained and had gleaned little pieces of wisdom from the story. One of my friends even said that his talk was that extra push she needed to think more seriously about her potential call to ministry in a church. Whoa!
I have no idea what happened there. Somewhere in that mess of a sermon, people were getting something out of it. And I had to take another look at what I considered to be a good sermon? Is it the stories I use? Is it the organization or lack thereof? Is it the scripture? Is it the humor?
Honestly, I don't have a good answer. Do I think he did a good job as a preacher? Eh. Not really. As a Lutheran preacher, I didn't hear a lot about grace. It was all about what I can do for God and for my neighbor. Nothing about how I'm forgiven. And I think that is essential to qualify something as a good sermon. Tell me what God has done for me, not what I can do for God. But, even though that part was missing, somehow what he said spoke to people and where they were at. He met this group of people where they were in their lives. And I think that's the lesson from all of this that I need to keep in mind as I go to preach. Now will I ever preach for an hour and include stories that have nothing to do with the topic and not have a real point. I certainly hope not.
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