Kids Grow Up

In what feels like a lifetime ago, I was a young, direction-less 20-something living with my parents again, doing a bit of volunteer youth ministry at Bethesda Lutheran in New Haven CT, while working 2 part-time jobs. Looking back, it was one of the best & worst times of my life. I met amazing people (including my wife.) I was also feeling the brunt of shame coming from crawling back home to my parents. But I digress...

Amazing people...

One of "my kids" from youth group came to visit us this weekend. She's now an adult trying to make her way in the world. I, apparently & unfortunately for her, had a great deal of influence on her innocent mind. Twelve years ago we had a "passing conversation" about faith. Today, she points to that single conversation (which I couldn't even remember when we talked about it) as a major turning point in her life. It lead her to seminary and a call to ministry.

Remember: Watch what you say to children. They remember stuff!

At some point over the weekend, it became obvious that this "kid" I helped teach Luther's Catechism and treated to pizza is now an adult. She's a world-traveler and is currently doing hospital ministry in Tennessee. During a dinner conversation Friday night, she totally impressed the hell out of me. First, she properly corrected my paraphrasing of one of Paul's letters. Then she proceeded to make my point for me. (Damn, know-it-all kid!)

The other really cool part of her visit is some music she shared with me. During my time at Bethesda, I got to know several of the really little kids. One of them is now a talented musician & songwriter. Only 16, he's got a band that's got an old-school punk-rock edge. I was really impressed. I would pay for his music and he's still in high school. I got a real kick listening to his music and reminiscing about my time in New Haven.

It made me feel real good to see my friend all grown up. It was amazing to be reminded that I helped give someone direction even at a time when I had none. We can give so much to each other even when we think we have nothing to give.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to add some music to my iPod's alternative & punk playlist.

On Advent & Absent Friends

The other day Posey reported that Forest is missing. This made me think about the time, years ago, that my old cat went missing for days because he got stuck the neighbor's garage. I remember how miserable I was. I remember having given up hope then hearing him crying out at 2AM. I went outside and listened. As soon as I realized where he was I woke my sister up and made her call our neighbor. My parents were away somewhere. My sister did not hesitate to rescue my cat.

I keep hoping that they find Forest because I know exactly what they are going through.

Tigger was a Christmas present when I was 12. He was the best cat a boy could have. All through High School, I never needed an alarm clock. Instead, Tigger would wake me up every morning at 6AM by standing on me and meowing for breakfast. When I would come home during college breaks he would always greet me with the "where have you been?" look before hoping on my lap and reminding everyone that my lap was his personal space. He lived with my parents for years after Slick and I got married. He might have moved in with us. Alas, it just wasn't possible. After years of separation, I became horribly allergic to him. Besides, by that point he was old and set in his ways.

Tonight, I was sorting through some old photos using Picasa when I found this picture of Tigger at my parents during Christmas of 2000. In the same batch, I also found a picture of my Grandmother, iDad's mom. Neither of them are with us now.

Tigger
Best Cat A Boy Ever Had

The holidays are a bittersweet time. They bring back joyful memories and fill us with sorrow.

Advent, the weeks leading up to Christmas, is a paradox. It's about hope, yet it's also like the gravedigger in Hamlet. Death lingers over Christ's birth the way it lingers over our holiday decorating. We get closer to celebrating the birth of Christ, but it's also a long prelude to Good Friday. Every year, I listen to Handel's Messiah when we trim the tree. This year, my fingers hung over the butterfly ornaments that once adorned my grandmother's room in the nursing home. As I hung them on the tree, I thought of her and I thought of Karen. I remembered Posey's phone call last year telling me Karen had died and realize what a bittersweet Christmas this will be.

"The voice of him who crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the lord."

Was the voice of the prophet the sound of a courageous trumpet or the sound of a scared and hungry cat? Sometimes, I wonder. But then the words of the prophets come to me in song.

"Comfort ye my people."

I think of those words and I know that everything will be alright. Absent friends are not so far away. Pain and sorrow turns to grief and hope. That's the message of Christmas. The foregone conclusion is not a Shakespearean room full of dead bodies. It is Easter morning. It's my hope for lost family and friends. I listen to the prophet sing those words of comfort and I know we need not be afraid. I hear it clearly and recognize the voice for what it truly is...

The voice of the prophet is a big sister who rescues your cat.

Recent State Anti-Gay Marriage Laws

Anyone else really bothered that states are passing laws to systematically treat a group of people as second-class citizens?

I would like very well to respect the "moral" arguments of fellow Christians and other religious people. I try really hard. The so-called moral decline of our society is a farce. Were we more or less moral after the Emancipation Proclamation or Women's Suffrage? Shall we undo those? And if so, how far back would people like to go for a more pure and moral society?

Shall we return to the time of Prohibition? Because, those were certainly moral times. Further? The Constitution? Folks were certainly less rebellious before then. Oh I know, let's go back to the times of Puritanism. Yeah, nothing like a good witch burning! Screw it, not moral enough. Clearly, all this is sinfulness is the result of so-called individual rights. Let's forget about the Magna Carta while we're at it.

Still not far enough back. Shoot, the Cruisades were an up-right "Christian" period. Just have to pick one. I mean, if we can't bring morality to the world by looting and pillaging once or twice, we'll try nine times over several hundred years just to make sure!

If I keep going back, I'll get all the way back to Sodom and Gomorrah right? The basis for every half-baked argument against gay rights. Yes, that's why all of society's problems are because of us Liberals right?

Everyone seems to have a lot of hang-ups about sex. (We seem fine with a little violence, but I digress...) I understand this is hard to wrap our brains around because of all "our" collective hangups, but Gay Marriage is not about Sex! It's about the rights of two equal people to share their lives together and receive the same legal and societal rights as anyone else.

And before the cowards start arguing that opening the law to gay marriage suddenly opens the law to other types of unions, just don't! One injustice a moral-buffer does not make. Defend or attack the rights of gays on their own basis. Do not lump them into the moral quagmire of other "alternative" forms of relationships.

Sorry for the rant. It's late, I've had a two-day migraine, I can't sleep and the top story on MSNBC was about this shit.

John 14:12

John 14:12

"Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these because I am going to the Father." - NRSV

iDad recently asked me if I could tell him why this verse holds so much meaning for me. The context of his question was not, he assured me, in any way related to any kind of stewardship Sunday planning. When I pressed him for the details, he told me that it was for a sermon next week. With just a bit more pressing I learned that the congregation was working on some kind of "gifts" survey. The more I heard, the more I was certain that the context of the question was stewardship Sunday planning. We went back and forth a bit with our typical verbal sparring before I gave him a half-hearted answer that left us both wanting more.

Now in both our defenses, any kind of hint of a stewardship discussion tends to put most people on the defensive. Pastors become defensive because they don't want people to immediately think of money and/or being overwhelmed with extra commitments. They want people to think about the Gospel's call to fellowship and service. Parishioners (and sons) don't want to get into a discussion about shelling out more money or giving up more free time. Somehow, I generally leave any type of discussion about stewardship bouncing between guilt and self-justification.

Still, in any context, his question is with merit. What is it about this verse that I find so appealing? The simple answer could be that it was my confirmation verse. I can not verify that. At some point I read this verse and it blossomed into meaning for me. For a long while I surmised that I was just being lazy. Surely, there are better verses to connect with. Part of me also questions if I chose it out of hubris. It's not a typical favorite verse, yet it sounds smart and full of meaning. Still waters run deep and all that crap. But I digress...

At some point in my life -- in that nebulous zone between the baptismal waters hitting my forehead & my finding this verse -- God called me his (or her) own. I believed. I believed enough that I struggled with a Call to Ordination for years. I had deep personal burning bush moments that were unfortunately lacking fire or the loud booming voice. (I continue to blame Cecil BDeMille for my false expectations.) From that struggle, I learned one simple truth: We are all "Called" by God.

This is the part where I originally opted for a long tangent about Liberation Theology & the works of various spiritualists like Henri Nouwen & Edward Hays. I eventually got into my own personal concept of being an instrument of God's Sanctification. Somehow, this information seems incredibly important part of this explanation. It is, but it isn't. It is because it explains my drive to focus on relationships and understanding of our collective potential as "wounded healers." It isn't because I've already lost most anyone who's reading due to my lack of brevity.

So, let's get right down to it!

On the surface, this is a bold statement of instruction to the faithful. Christ is saying, "You're gonna kick ass in my name!" You might surmise that this is a triumphant statement of works righteousness! Calvinists rejoice! The Lutheran poster-boy's favorite verse is a statement of works!

Yes, I believe in the place and purpose for works in our lives, but no I reject works righteousness. I am not "climbing Jacob's ladder" or buying my way into heaven. So, what gives?

Here's what it says to me.

The believer WILL do the works of Christ. It's not just a statement about now, it's about tomorrow and the next day. I WILL DO! I may not have. I may not tomorrow. It's not a statement of law. It's Grace. Believe and you will be an instrument of God! You may not think it's possible. You may be a complete fuck up. You may be sick, tired, confused. You may fail to tithe appropriately. You may piss off your friends, screw your co-workers and pollute the environment, but because of your faith you WILL be an instrument of God.

This isn't a carte blanche justification to do wrong or shrug responsibility. Luther says, "Sin boldly" for a reason. It's the grace to use your gifts as you are able. It's also the freedom to say "No" when you feel spiritually used up. Because when you least expect, Christ will say "YES" for you. In fact, you may find yourself doing greater works than you ever expected.

In closing: I want to thank my father for making me "waste" nearly 24-hours trying to articulate this without the compulsion to write an entire book. And you, dear readers, you should thanks to the delete button.

Protecting the Faith!

Apparently, there's a blogswarm this weekend against Theocracy. BostonPobble's Sunday Question is devoted to it...sorta... I'm personally against the concept of a "Theocracy." And am a firm supporter of the separation of church & state. You'll remember that I recently wrote 2 posts entitled Our Civil Religion and Civil Religion - Establishment of Religion.

You should also know that this week marks the first viewings of the controversial film Expelled. The premise of this documentary is that there are "educators & scientists being persecuted for their belief that there is evidence of design in nature." (Wikipedia)

There is a funny story about the free screening at Mall of America that you should read. (Thanks to GamerGeek for sharing the link with me.) The short of it is that PZ Myers was not allowed in to see the film, but his guest, Richard Dawkins got in.

Who are PZ Myers & Richard Dawkins? Scientists, atheists, secular humanist & most importantly two men who were duped into appearing in the movie under false pretenses.

Now, make no mistake, I'd probably not want to spend time with either of these two camps. I'm generally of the opinion that the Intelligent Design movement is heresy and should be condemned by the leaders of just about every Christian & Jewish organization. I've also gotta take issue with a guy who writes a book calling religious faith a delusion. Still, I'm definitely going to have to side with them godless scientists against them heretical crusaders. Perhaps this is the rational man in me. Perhaps it's the science degree I "mostly" earned. BUT I digress...

This is the playing field. Those are the teams. This is the power and danger of the first amendment. Here in America, they both have the right to spew their crap. It could be worse, they can generally spew the same crap in most of Europe. People just don't care there anymore. Maybe it would be better if both of these camps would just disappear. I'm not sure. Sometimes, I think it's all part of the universe trying to figure itself out. If we didn't have discourse, we would not grow. Sure, it's frustrating that such raw antagonism exists, but that's also life.

In conclusion: Theocracy BAD! Secular Humanism...not a fan! First Amendment ROCKS! Keep your why out of my how and stop disrespecting my why just because your how says my why is lunacy. And if you understood that last sentence, seek professional help!

It Makes Me Sick

I'm sharing this because this kind of hate speech must not be hidden. A free and just society brings evil to light. Hate cloaked in Christ's name is hate!

I was watching news videos on CNN.com and they had a segment about the homophobic speech made by Rep Sally Kern of Oaklahoma (R). The speech itself took place some time ago, but the posting in You Tube got so many hits that local news in Oklahoma ran a story which, in turn, hit CNN this week.

She flat-out states that the gay lifestyle is more dangerous for the nation that terrorism. She goes on to spout the most hateful and ridiculous propaganda I've heard since I've watched video archives of Nazi speeches.

In the news show, she tries to defend her "free speech" and tries to back-peddle by saying that she was speaking out as a Christian. I heard nothing remotely Christian in her comments. Hate is hate. Bigoted comments about both gays and Islamic people do not, in any way, follow the teachings of Christ. This is the same BS kind of argument that slavers & segregationists made about Blacks. In the Civil War, it took good people of faith to stand up and point out evil. In the 60's, Dr King had to die to end segregation. Haven't we learned out lesson yet?

The arguments made in her anti-gay, fundamentalist rant is the same illogical stuff I've heard over and over. I have said, more than once, that I will respect a person's faithful belief that homosexuality is a sin. I disagree, but I'll respect it. What I can't respect, is propaganda and hate-speech. If someone wants to draw a line and avoid "worldly" behaviors they deem sinful, fine. If that same person wants to make theological arguments for the avoidance of behaviors, fine. I'll pray that they see the light. They'll pray that I'll see the light. It's not great, but it's a start.

Instead, we get gay-bashing and fear tactics.

I'll stop here before my rant goes on further.

Included is one of the many videos on You Tube that captures her speech and a link to the video segment on CNN.com.



CNN video

Civil Religion - Establishment of Religion

Gamer Geek excellent response to Our Civil Religion gets me started on the next part of this little reflection. He wrote, "Our founding fathers very explicitly wrote a secular constitution without reference to any specific gods" and questioned the understanding of those claiming this to be a "Christian Nation." Is this true? Did they purposefully write a secular constitution? Was their vision of this separation absolute?

My reading tells me that the founding father never envisioned a "Christian Nation" but neither did they envision a purely secular one. Indeed, we see God references throughout our nation's history. Our relationship with the divine is part of who we are. Do not forget that this was a nation formed by Quakers & Puritans.

Our first great "sacred text," The Declaration of Independence makes it's case with the statement "endowed by their Creator." This is not a secular case.

The preamble to the Constitution did not invoke the name of God, but it maintained that same transcendent feeling. Words like "Blessings of Liberty" and "more perfect Union" have a religious tone in any age.

When I read the first Amendment to Bill of Rights, I see the hand of men who fled persecution for their beliefs. Is this an effort to keep our great nation secular or was it to ensure that we might all have religious freedom? To be certain, some of these men were early forerunners to modern secular humanism, but most were Christian of one form or another. The fact that their efforts transcended the mindsets of their age and has bridged generations is nothing short of miraculous. So radical where these ideas that it took an extra 3 years to add them to the constitution!

See how easily this history lends itself to the founding myth of American civil religion?

All that said, the best way to protect religious freedom is by doing exactly what the first Amendment states, "make no law respecting an establishment of religion." In such that the end result is a secular society, then so be it. Any mindset that suggests (for or against) this idea is anti-religion is wrong. The first Amendment is so positively protective of religious freedom that it counters both pure secularism and theocracy.

So, what's wrong with this? It sounds rather inspired. Therein lies the potential for trouble. Consider this:

This unique and often paradoxical notion of protecting religion by not establishing a state one, was so radical that it has become foundational to the lifting up of the civil religion. Indeed, people on both sides of the issue can easily point to it as the cornerstone of their "faith" in the American ideal. It simply mesmerizes me to think about it. So, powerful is are these words that sacred sites were built in Philadelphia & Washington, DC so that millions of Americans can make pilgrimage. Who else comes to see these artifacts? Why, millions of prospective converts from all over the globe. We call the tourists.

What's the harm in lifting up such a revolutionary concept for all the world to see? One word: Zealots. Zealots see one truth. They ignore all contradictions as false-hoods. Zealots start wars. Zealots talk in absolutes. To religious communities, Zealots are idolaters. To secular communities they are destroyers of pluralism. This is the group that Gamer Geek & Nord both fear in their comments. They are the group that we should all fear.

Our Civil Religion

Sometimes, I like to toss partially-formed opinion out in my blog to see how it feels on the screen and to see the feedback. I can get away with this because most of my readers are friends who provide constructive criticism. The whole wiretap thing is a prime example. I posted my "gut" feeling about it without really delving deeply into the facts or greater ethical or political questions. Today's post is similar in that this is a new train of thought, a new puzzle I seek to unlock.

Several weeks ago, I was flipping through my limited channel selection late at night. Next to ESPN, channel surfing is the real guilty pleasure I've lost from giving up cable, but I digress...

I found myself stopping at one of the many PBS channels. There in stunning HD was the National Cathedral. The context was a really interesting show about the civil religion of the United States. Now, I've heard about the concept on several occasions. I've wrestled with the conflict of God vs Nation before. I've read a great deal about the separation of Church & State. Never before have I seen a professionally edited news-drama devote an entire show to it.

I'm trying to refrain from being too judgmental with this but I'm sure that my negativity will rise to the surface. There's something frightening and idolatrous about what I watched, what I see in people and what I see in myself on a regular basis. I remind myself often that God is not American & that Jesus would not affiliate himself with one political party or another. Except that I catch myself looking at the Republican Party as being full of corrupt Pharisees & seeing the Democrat Party as the party of true believers & good Samaritans. That's my big confession for the day!

Now that we've got my personal confession out of the way, let's take a little time to talk about the concept of civic religion.

Civil religion in this context is best described as the intertwining of religious morals and trappings with national & political identity and culture. In the US, we specifically seek to avoid the establishment of national religion. Instead, through our history and national identity, a folk religion has invaded our collective consciousness. Consider these basic examples. We regularly hear the invocation of God in our political speeches. We venerate past political leaders & have our own founding myths. We have our own national monuments & have public buildings of worship.

I'm admittedly not sure where this post is going, so I'm to pause here and give us a chance to reflect on this topic. Here are some links:

Wikipedia - Civil Religion
Wikipedia - American Civil Religion
God Bless America: Reflections on Civil Religion After September 11
Frontline: The Jesus Factor

If this were a class or some sort of discussion group, there would be questions to consider. It's not, but here are a few:

How does this concept make you feel?
When does civil pride become idolatry?
What are the dangers of civil religion & national pride?
Are we experiencing some of those dangers today?

MLB*

If the era of steroids and performance enhancing drugs in baseball was a movie, today would have been the closing scene. George Mitchell is no Harrison Ford staring down the President before appearing before congress at the end of Clear & Present Danger, but his speech would be the Hollywood version of the end of this story. Alas for baseball fans, the story goes on.

I mulled this story over as I read and watched footage from many and various talking heads discuss punishment and asterisks. Within minutes of the report, there were already web-polls about the future of baseball and whether the Rocket would get into the Hall of Fame. The media loves a train-wreck, doesn't it?

As fan reactions seesaw from apathy to distrust, I notice the lack of self-reflection. Who is to blame when an iconic part of society falls apart? Society is. No, you and I did not hand the players the needles, but we certainly demanded it. The wrong that is the asterisk era of baseball is too similar to the wrong that is the mortgage crisis and the illegal immigration debate. We demand and do not ask how it is provided as long as it's cheap, available or (in the case of baseball) entertaining. When the dirt piles so high that we can not ignore it any longer, we ask with feigned innocence "How did this get here?" and then seek someone to blame. It's those damn immigrants. It's the mortgage brokers. It's the oil companies. It's Barry Bonds. We dare not ask, "Is it me?"

And so, for me MLB* becomes a new symbol of our fall from grace. It is proof that we can even take the joy of baseball and the ingenuity of science and pervert it. Sin finds a way.

Oddly enough, the sinners will probably not be cast out of the garden. Perhaps some will not see paradise (Cooperstown), but it's nearly impossible to punish any of these men without turning blame back to baseball itself.

And what of my own relationship with Baseball? Will these events mark the end of my love of the game? Will Baseball be shelved along with Hockey? No. Baseball is too much a part of my makeup to walk away from now. To abandon it would be to lay all the blame on baseball and ignore my own culpability as a fan. And frankly, the "news" of this story ended years ago. We've all known that there's CHEATING (there I've said it) in baseball for years. Now, the skeletons are out in the open. Hopefully, the healing can begin.

Still, the game for me will never be the same. And, baseball must change. The people in the business of baseball must fix the sport or many of us may say enough is enough.

Say it ain't so Roger!

Good OpEd Piece on Marriage

Taking Marriage Private - NYT

The above link is a quality Op-Ed piece with a short history lesson about the use of Marriage Licenses and the questionable melding of government & religion for the purpose of legal documentation.

I've been saying (to anyone who will listen) that I don't give a rats ass about the government's opinion about marriage as long as they make no laws to infringe on my (or anyone else's rights.) My marriage is something determined by Slick, myself & God. I don't want or need some politician to tell me that my marriage is more moral or proper than someone else's.

While I personally think that the anti-gay rhetoric in some religious bodies is rather appalling and hypocritical, I also believe that my friend NothingNew is right when he routinely says, "People are entitled to their own wrong opinions" as long as said opinions do no harm to others.

Too much "sacred" stuff has been twisted by well-meaning people in government. Yes, a person's religious believes must be a moral compass to the decisions they make. Yes, this holds true for Government. But again, I want Government to stay out of my marriage. I believe, as does the author, that there are reasonable ways to determine ownership, dependency & beneficiary without getting involved my (or anyone else's) marriage.

Anyway, enjoy the link and I'll get off my soapbox now.

File under, I wish I was making this up...

What should you do if you find an Atheist?

And knowing is 1/2 the battle!

Lutheran Confessions Podcast

Dear ELCA,

Ever wondered what actual seminary professors from the "other" Lutheran Church in America (Missouri Synod) taught about stuff like the Creeds & Luther's Catechism. Well, now you can right from their own podcast. I shit you not!

I found it in "iTunes U." If you don't use iTunes, try the link below to get download or an RSS feed from Learn Out Loud.

Lutheran Confessions

I've not listened to any of it yet. I'm a little nervous. ;-)

P.S. Actually, if you use iTunes you should seriously look at iTunes U. They have downloadable material from MIT, Yale, Texas A&M, UC Berkley and more. Yale School of Music records student performances. I've got a recording of a guest lecture that Al Gore did at Stanford. Really, this is cool. The brain-trust of America open for everyone to experience.

Who is my neighbor? Part II

In the traditions shaped by the Bible, offering hospitality is a moral imperative.
- Ana Maria Pineda from Practicing Our Faith, edited by Dorothy C Bass

When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your GOD.
- Leviticus 19:33-34

You shall LOVE the alien as yourself! Amen

Who is my neighbor?

Several weeks ago, I heard a pastor preach on the story of the good Samaritan. It was an excellent sermon, but not the point of today's post. It simply put the question of "neighbor" in my head.

Today, I woke up feeling like crapola. My neck is torqued and painful. My hands and arms numb. My feet and legs achy. And sleep? Well, that was crap too. How rough is it to have a debilitating medical condition? It sucks!

And yet, God is good! Even as I struggled to put my shoes on, I knew that my life is blessed. Even as I strained to put the dog's leash on, I knew that my life is good. Even as the dog's movements sent waves of pain up my arm and into my neck, I knew that I am so very lucky.

I have a wonderful home. I have a wife and large extended family who loves and cares for me. When I feel like this, I can take it easy because I don't have to work.

There are many people who are not so lucky. There are people who daily risk their lives and even break laws simply to have the hope of a life like mine. They are illegal immigrants. And make no mistake, they are your neighbors. Here in the US, millions of Christians are clamoring for tough laws against immigrants. We don't want amnesty. We want walls. We don't want hope. We want presumed safety. We want to rest assured that we are justified in our hypocrisy. And while the immigrants may break our laws, it is we that are the voice of the devil. It is we who want our houses built cheaply and our produce out of season. We tempt them with cheap labor and then we call them criminals for coming to get those jobs that we don't want.

Christ broke the sabbath more than once for the sake of people. He knew that God's law was for God's people, not the other way around. If good men, women and children are willing to risk so much, what are we willing to risk to help them. It's not enough to put up walls. We have to, instead tear down walls.

A just and equitable society starts with being kind to your neighbor. And our neighbors are from places like Mexico, Cuba, and Haiti. And what of rules and punishment? Ask yourself that simple bumper-sticker question: What would Jesus do?

Bishop Hanson's Message

Bishop Hanson, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA put out a message to all ministers on the 15th including a section concerning the assembly's actions on gays & lesbians. I'm going to refrain from further comment and instead simply post the message. Here is his message...

Bishop's Message

And here is an excerpt pertaining directly to the question of sexuality...

It is important that we accurately describe the assembly's various decisions regarding our current studies on sexuality and standards for rostered ministries. It is significant that the tone of our discussions was thoughtful and respectful, reflecting the commitment made by the 2005 Churchwide Assembly that we "concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements...." The following summary may inform your discussions:

• The ELCA Churchwide Assembly rejected resolutions that would have changed ELCA policy and practice to permit persons in same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders.
• The assembly affirmed the study process that will lead to the development of a social statement on human sexuality, voted to share with the study's task force the synod memorials on this matter, and directed the task force to address current policies precluding "practicing homosexual persons" from serving as pastors or rostered leaders as part of the recommendations it will bring to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.
• While voting on several occasions not to change the ELCA's constitution, bylaws, or policies, the assembly did take action to pray, urge, and encourage the leadership of the ELCA to "refrain from or demonstrate restraint in disciplining" pastors and other rostered leaders who are "in a mutual, chaste, and faithful committed same-gender relationship" and are currently serving in this church, as well as congregations that call such otherwise qualified candidates.

Let me underscore that this third action is not a change in the official documents or policies of the ELCA. Attempts to make such changes were rejected by the assembly.

However, the assembly offered the advice and counsel described above to bishops and others in positions of authority as they make pastoral decisions on matters relating to discipline as issues of human sexuality are being studied throughout the church prior to action by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly. The third action does not bind bishops to follow this requested course; rather, it expresses the sense of the assembly to encourage restraint in discipline during this time of deliberation.

As we prepare for a social statement on human sexuality in 2009, it is essential that leaders of this church invite ELCA members to participate in the current phase of the ELCA Studies on Sexuality. The development of social statements is participatory in nature. Responses to the third study are welcome until November 1, 2007. Watch for the first draft of the social statement in March 2008. Please encourage thoughtful response to it. You will find more information at www.elca.org/faithfuljourney.

This guy can write!

Linked is a very long article from Esquire -- no really, Esquire! -- Anyway, it's an excellent bit of reading for all my evil, liberal, educated Bush-bashering readers. You know who you are...

Greetings From Idiot America

The first part is a really solid review of the farce known as Intelligent Design. This leads into a really good review of how modern-American culture has been dumbing down science and reason for the sake of emotional "truth" and the Bush presidency.

Anyway, it's long and any summary by me will not do it justice.

A final word of my discontent for memorial "E"

Well, it's been several days since I saw the news about the ELCA "memorial" about G&L pastors. I had a long talk with my father about my complete and utter contempt for the way the church failed to utilize their website in this matter. But thus far the whole thing seems to be blowing over. Shame too. Chaos can be a good thing!

The result seems to be that the church didn't do anything new. The official position hasn't changed. Leadership just went ahead and put something in writing to help protect G&L pastors from witch-hunts.

A good friend and extreme liberal told me once that the real reason conservative Christians persecute G&Ls is because they think it's "icky." I believe that there's a great deal of truth to his point. Still, I can not deny the prayerful deliberations of my fellow Christians just because I think them wrong. Nor can I begin to close the divide between the two camps on this issue.

And yet, it is my fervent belief that the current rules of our faith marginalize members of our community. This stands in stark contrast to the will of Christ. We do this, not out of desired principles, but out of sin-induced hypocrisy. Anyone can proof-text very convincing arguments against homosexuals and just as easily commit sins of sexuality. The simple and inescapable truth is that we all fall short of the grace of God.

What concerns me the most is that the "body" of the ELCA needs all it's parts. Liberals need conservatives to keep us from going over the proverbial deep-end of pluralism and permissiveness. The Conservatives need us to keep from becoming like the scribes and pharisees. I find it interesting that Jesus' actions spoke volumes to this very problem. If a situation demanded that he break a rule, he did so. But never did he stray from the intent of the rules of his faith.

Admittedly, I offer no answers here. I wish I did. I trust the Holy Spirit and I try to act accordingly. Perhaps, the ELCA will continue to exist as a both/and. We will, depending on geography & population, be a welcoming place for our G&L brothers & sisters. We will also not be so. I can't decide if this is a broken, sinful element to our human-made institution OR a joyful spirit-inspired act by Christ's Church.

A final note: My father pointed out (without any statistical backing) that the bulk of ELCA leadership (pastors and lay-leaders) are liberal while the bulk of membership lean conservative. It makes me wonder then if the will of the Church can ever be accomplished if those who make decisions do not represent the hearts and minds of those whom they represent. But then, if the job of leadership is to discern the will of Christ... Church politics are simply screwy.

Another News Story

This one is from the Chicago Tribune and is much clearer than the Reuters story from yesterday.

Lutherans ask bishops to keep gay clergy in ministry

Interesting...

edit

Here's another one...

Lutherans vote not to punish gay ministers

Nope, still not sure...

So, I've been pouring through the section concerning sexuality in the ELCA "memorial" documentation that went out before the national convention and I'm still scratching my head. It's either a well-designed bunch of legal-mumbo-jumbo or the national standardized reading test for 3rd graders. Either way, Huh?!? I'm linking it, but don't try and read it!

Report of the Memorials Committee

Anyway, I know as much as I knew before I looked at section "E." The ELCA, just like the rest of the world, is divided on human sexuality. I do, however, take comfort in a few things. "We" do, at least in print, strive to be accepting of the sinner even if we actively can't seem to discern what to do with the sin. In other words, everyone agrees to refrain from gay-bashing. Everyone actively wants to be welcoming....sorta.

My biggest frustration is that this HOT issue isn't front-page stuff on the ELCA home page. Hasn't anyone gotten any clue that this is the story that the new-people will run with? Hasn't anyone looked and seen what's happening to the Episcopalians? Dude, seriously! In the absence of real information and serious communication, people (like me) are gonna make shit up. This...and many other reasons...is why I stay out of church politics.

Sigh! Stupid is as stupid does!

Huge News in the ELCA?!?

For those who've been hiding under a rock or have just tuned in, I am a Lutheran. Specifically, I'm a member of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.) Anyway, some big news appears to be happing at the national assembly. A story just hit Reuters News service a few hours ago and I found it on MSNBC...

Lutherans to allow pastors in gay relationships

"The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America passed a resolution at its annual assembly urging bishops to refrain from disciplining pastors who are in 'faithful committed same-gender relationships.'"

Now, hold on a minute...There's the news and then there's what happened. I'm still working on the second. I am truly hopeful. Too often "the Church" in it's many forms has turned away or evenly abused people because they have been deemed unwelcome, unworthy or unforgivable. Christ's church is supposed to be a place of refuge and hope for everyone. Perhaps, this marks a step in the right direction. But I ramble...I'll let Charlotte Elliott do the talking:

Just as I am, without one plea, But that Thy blood was shed for me, And that Thou bidst me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not To rid my soul of one dark blot, To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; Sight, riches, healing of the mind, Yea, all I need in Thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown Hath broken every barrier down; Now, to be Thine, yea, Thine alone, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, of that free love The breadth, length, depth, and height to prove,
Here for a season, then above, O Lamb of God, I come, I come!