Una estrella muy brillante.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
"I saw some really cool salt today"
Jesus said: ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
Upon hearing this, my new friend who definitely has a unique take on life said: "I saw some really cool salt today." And he proceeded to describe unusual shapes and ways in which salt reflected light, and had different tastes. Tibetan Black Salt was one example I can recall..all sodium chloride.
"It's all edible?" I asked.
"I suppose, but at those prices you wouldn't really want to grind it up," he said matter of factly.
As Jesus challenges Christians to be salt, have we ever thought about being some cool salt? That might make others say in the company of friends, "I saw some really cool salt today."
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Trinity Explained
The Trinity.. Explained – Isaiah 6:1-8; John 3:1-10
Second Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque, NM June 7, 2009
“We in the Christian church affirm as an essential part of our faith belief in a Triune God…The Trinity doctrine basically says that there is one God. The Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God. Hence God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Three, but they make up one God. Each is co-equal and co-eternal.” [2] Blessed Trinity!
Does that make sense? Maybe some of you would like to add to this a bit….
Oh right, that’s my job. Well, Rob and I both agreed that we have tried for such a long time with our respective congregations to explain the Trinity, and you still didn’t get it… that we just had to exchange churches this Sunday, so that we could try to explain the Trinity to each other’s congregations. So now I guess is a good time to explain the Trinity doctrine…
In April of this year, I was put to the test. I visited a Muslim country, Morocco, on an interfaith trip with other religious leaders, and our leader was the Imam at the Mosque in Santa Fe, who also happened to be a native of Morocco. There I found myself in a very lively; non-threatening discussion about faith with a committed Muslim. He, very graciously, pointed out that there were so many similarities between Christianity and Islam: Belief in the virgin birth (another difficult thing to explain); belief in the crucifixion of Jesus, and even in his ascension into heaven and that he will return. I did not know these things about Islam before.
And then he squinted his eyes a bit, shifted in his seat, and closed his mouth before he said, You know what a big difference is between your religion and ours: The Trinity. How can you believe in three Gods Or one God that is Three? This just doesn’t make sense.
Had I had adequate time at that moment, it would have been a good time to have explained the doctrine of the trinity. But I guess now is a good time to explain the Trinity doctrine…
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
What do you believe?
With a fair amount of talk about belief statements recently shared at WPC, I had an idea for a fun summer project. How bout a WPC collage, displayed in the hallway, with the belief statements of all who choose to participate. Imagine about 80-100 statements juxtaposed with one another against the wall, with the statement, "We are the body of Christ," or something like that. It would really challenge our faith, individually and collectively, illustrate our theological diversity, and show our unity in Christ. For examples or help on the statement you could talk to someone who has recently gone through confirmation class, seminary, or check out: thisibelieve.org
Go Conquerors, beat the guest
This morning I was inspired to get up at 6 am and go for a jog: maybe because I didn't get to soccer last night, or maybe because I needed to clear my mind. As the sun rose over the sangre de cristo mountains, I thought, "Why don't I do this more often." I feel good now; we'll see how I feel at 2 pm.
I jogged up to a track at a local middle school, De Vargas. For the entire jog, my back was to the scoreboard until I left the track. And there I saw the board which read: Conquerors vs Guest. Is that a welcoming scoreboard or what? "Welcome to our field dear guest. Now we the conquerors will conqueror you (followed by a sinister laugh)."
Of course, Santa Fe is the city that once (and still does) celebrated Maria virgen la conquistadora. After the Spanish conquered the Native Americans they gave credit to Mary.
The real question: How many times have the conquerors have been conquerored by their guest on their own field?
I jogged up to a track at a local middle school, De Vargas. For the entire jog, my back was to the scoreboard until I left the track. And there I saw the board which read: Conquerors vs Guest. Is that a welcoming scoreboard or what? "Welcome to our field dear guest. Now we the conquerors will conqueror you (followed by a sinister laugh)."
Of course, Santa Fe is the city that once (and still does) celebrated Maria virgen la conquistadora. After the Spanish conquered the Native Americans they gave credit to Mary.
The real question: How many times have the conquerors have been conquerored by their guest on their own field?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Church Membership -PC(USA)
Recently, Westminster Presbyterian, Santa Fe held a new member class in which those who participated were asked to write a brief personal statement of faith and present that to the session when they sought to become members. Those who did this exercise opened themselves up, and shared things they believed and things they did not believe. Through their honesty they made themselves vulnerable and subject to critique. We have never done this before, so many questions and concerns have presented themselves, which can be explored here.
The concept of membership in churches, in and of itself, is quite strange.
Why does our church have "membership"? Are we joining a club?
Here’s some of what the Book of Order says about membership:
Requirements:
“The incarnation of God in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ gives to the church not only its mission but also its understanding of membership. One becomes an active member of the church through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and acceptance of his Lordship in all of life. Baptism and a public profession of faith in Jesus as Lord are the visible signs of entrance into the active membership of the church.” G-5.0101a
“The congregation shall welcome all persons who respond in trust and obedience to God's grace in Jesus Christ and desire to become part of the membership and ministry of his Church. No persons shall be denied membership because of race, ethnic origin, worldly condition, or any other reason not related to profession of faith. Each member must seek the grace of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons. (G-9.0104) Failure to do so constitutes a rejection of Christ himself and causes a scandal to the gospel.” –G-5.0103
And once becoming a member:
“An active member of a particular church is a person who has made a profession of faith in Christ, has been baptized, has been received into membership of the church, has voluntarily submitted to the government of this church, and participates in the church's work and worship. An active member is entitled to all the rights and privileges of the church, including the right to participate in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to present children for baptism, to take part in meetings of the congregation, and to vote and hold office. Other conditions of active membership that meet the needs of the particular church and are consistent with the order and confessions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) may be adopted by the session after careful study and discussion with the congregation.” G-5.0202
Most of my experience in ministry has been in campus ministry where there was no such thing as “membership.” We didn't care who participated, so long as they were coming to the ministry and growing in their faith. However, only those who demonstrated maturity in their faith, and a belief system that was compatible with that of the campus ministry were invited to be in leadership roles (this criteria was not very well defined). We felt like it's better they come grow in their faith, than to have certain requirements for participation. Were we to transpose that model to this context, perhaps we would have "looser" standards on membership, so that all who feel called would feel welcomed "into the fold" so as to grow in their faith, but for officers we would have a higher standards which conform more to shared values and beliefs. To me, it seems like if certain requirements are made on membership, it would have more of a club type feel.
That said, when considering those who want to be members or who might be considered as an officer: Is there a requirement in terms of beliefs?
Should the session make a "standard"? What are "essential tenets" in terms of Creed? We must be very careful in discerning what those are, as we have seen over the history of the church that what has been considered essential in a particular place and time has been looked upon with suspect by later generations. A debate that comes up from time to time at General Assembly has been to define "essential tenets" as referred to in Book of order W-4.4003c. (For an example of what this debate has looked at see: http://index.pcusa.org/NXT/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=pcdocs:10.1048/Enu
How do generational differences, as well as varying worldviews--post-modern verse modernism--play a role in determining these things? Is being a Christian desiring to be Christ-like? Can you follow Christ and not believe in heaven or miracles? The notion of heaven is actually more platonic than it is biblical in terms of the whole scope of the Bible? And in the Gospel of John, we see a very critical attitude of those who believed because of the signs, or miracles they witnessed (cf John 4:43-54, John 20:19-31).
Finally, what's key in this discussion, in my mind, is relationship. Before we judge or concern ourselves with beliefs or orthodoxy, have we had a chance/ taken the time to get to know someone and sought to be in relationship with them? What does Jesus' example teach us? In this relationship: can we sit down on the same pew with someone who feels called to belong in this church but may think very differently from us (on both essential/ non-essential issues), and sing worship songs together, pray together, break bread together, and love one another.
I think the early church reflected a variety of creeds and beliefs because empire had not yet standardized, or normalized "Christian belief". Nothing had been formulated except for very basic creeds passed through oral transmission:
"Lord I believe, help my unbelief"
“Love the Lord your God...”
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
“Maranatha!”
“I believe you are the Christ, the son of the Living God.”
“Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Jesus dined and hung out with “sinners” not because of what they believed in terms of the piety and orthodoxy of the day that “Pharisees and scribes” upheld among the religious community, but because they sought after him. Do those who seek to be members in churches seek after Christ. I certainly hope that would be the case in our church as we continue to proclaim Christ Crucified, through our worship and day-to-day living.
For more discussion on this download the podcast: godcomplex.com
and listen to the first show called: “the first” and listen beginning at minute 32:40
The concept of membership in churches, in and of itself, is quite strange.
Why does our church have "membership"? Are we joining a club?
Here’s some of what the Book of Order says about membership:
Requirements:
“The incarnation of God in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ gives to the church not only its mission but also its understanding of membership. One becomes an active member of the church through faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and acceptance of his Lordship in all of life. Baptism and a public profession of faith in Jesus as Lord are the visible signs of entrance into the active membership of the church.” G-5.0101a
“The congregation shall welcome all persons who respond in trust and obedience to God's grace in Jesus Christ and desire to become part of the membership and ministry of his Church. No persons shall be denied membership because of race, ethnic origin, worldly condition, or any other reason not related to profession of faith. Each member must seek the grace of openness in extending the fellowship of Christ to all persons. (G-9.0104) Failure to do so constitutes a rejection of Christ himself and causes a scandal to the gospel.” –G-5.0103
And once becoming a member:
“An active member of a particular church is a person who has made a profession of faith in Christ, has been baptized, has been received into membership of the church, has voluntarily submitted to the government of this church, and participates in the church's work and worship. An active member is entitled to all the rights and privileges of the church, including the right to participate in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, to present children for baptism, to take part in meetings of the congregation, and to vote and hold office. Other conditions of active membership that meet the needs of the particular church and are consistent with the order and confessions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) may be adopted by the session after careful study and discussion with the congregation.” G-5.0202
Most of my experience in ministry has been in campus ministry where there was no such thing as “membership.” We didn't care who participated, so long as they were coming to the ministry and growing in their faith. However, only those who demonstrated maturity in their faith, and a belief system that was compatible with that of the campus ministry were invited to be in leadership roles (this criteria was not very well defined). We felt like it's better they come grow in their faith, than to have certain requirements for participation. Were we to transpose that model to this context, perhaps we would have "looser" standards on membership, so that all who feel called would feel welcomed "into the fold" so as to grow in their faith, but for officers we would have a higher standards which conform more to shared values and beliefs. To me, it seems like if certain requirements are made on membership, it would have more of a club type feel.
That said, when considering those who want to be members or who might be considered as an officer: Is there a requirement in terms of beliefs?
Should the session make a "standard"? What are "essential tenets" in terms of Creed? We must be very careful in discerning what those are, as we have seen over the history of the church that what has been considered essential in a particular place and time has been looked upon with suspect by later generations. A debate that comes up from time to time at General Assembly has been to define "essential tenets" as referred to in Book of order W-4.4003c. (For an example of what this debate has looked at see: http://index.pcusa.org/NXT/gateway.dll?f=templates&fn=default.htm&vid=pcdocs:10.1048/Enu
How do generational differences, as well as varying worldviews--post-modern verse modernism--play a role in determining these things? Is being a Christian desiring to be Christ-like? Can you follow Christ and not believe in heaven or miracles? The notion of heaven is actually more platonic than it is biblical in terms of the whole scope of the Bible? And in the Gospel of John, we see a very critical attitude of those who believed because of the signs, or miracles they witnessed (cf John 4:43-54, John 20:19-31).
Finally, what's key in this discussion, in my mind, is relationship. Before we judge or concern ourselves with beliefs or orthodoxy, have we had a chance/ taken the time to get to know someone and sought to be in relationship with them? What does Jesus' example teach us? In this relationship: can we sit down on the same pew with someone who feels called to belong in this church but may think very differently from us (on both essential/ non-essential issues), and sing worship songs together, pray together, break bread together, and love one another.
I think the early church reflected a variety of creeds and beliefs because empire had not yet standardized, or normalized "Christian belief". Nothing had been formulated except for very basic creeds passed through oral transmission:
"Lord I believe, help my unbelief"
“Love the Lord your God...”
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
“Maranatha!”
“I believe you are the Christ, the son of the Living God.”
“Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.”
Jesus dined and hung out with “sinners” not because of what they believed in terms of the piety and orthodoxy of the day that “Pharisees and scribes” upheld among the religious community, but because they sought after him. Do those who seek to be members in churches seek after Christ. I certainly hope that would be the case in our church as we continue to proclaim Christ Crucified, through our worship and day-to-day living.
For more discussion on this download the podcast: godcomplex.com
and listen to the first show called: “the first” and listen beginning at minute 32:40
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