Epiphany's Identity

            I had a conversation with a staff member who related a story about someone who asked her where she attended church.  Her response was, “Epiphany.”  The questioner looked puzzled.  The staff member added, “You know, the triangle church.”  The other person knew immediately where our staff member attended church.

            The conversation above is not unusual.  Chris Forbes, in Guerrilla Marketing For Non-Profits, states non-profit as well as for-profit organizations are remembered by their “theme line” more than their names.  It is the theme line that immediately brings the organization’s product or service to mind.  For example, the theme line “Breakfast of Champions” immediately brings Wheaties to mind!  “The cereal that helps lower cholesterol” brings Cheerios to mind.

            Theme lines also help a community know a congregation.  Good Shepherd Lutheran, Cincinnati, defined itself as, “A place to grow in faith.”  This congregation emphasized the five weekly Bible studies and other educational opportunities in its ministry portfolio.  It was a church where members and non-members learned scripture and the theology of the church.

            Communities can define the theme line for a congregation.  For example, I have a pastor friend who served First Lutheran, Bellefontaine.  One day my friend was buying gas when a person asked him which church he served.  He answered, “First Lutheran.”  The questioner looked puzzled, so my friend pointed to the church building.  The questioner then said, “Oh, the church that helps people.”  The questioner’s response was the theme line the community had given the church because it helped those who needed food and other services in the Bellefontaine area.

            For several weeks I have been trying to define a theme line for Epiphany.  What is Epiphany’s identity?  How is it known by its members and by its staff?  One answer is stated above; people in Centerville know Epiphany as “The Triangle Church.”  Several weeks ago, I asked the staff, “What would be a good theme line for Epiphany?”  Since this question had never been asked before, there was no response. I put a sheet of paper on my office door for the staff to record their theme lines once they had time to think about their answers.  Following are the theme lines posted: “The church that serves its community.”  There is good reason for this line; i.e., the Pantry and the preschool.  “The church that makes a difference.”  This line reflects the global outreach of Epiphany as well as its ministries in the local community.  “A church that has a passion for people” is another answer.  The person who submitted this theme line was thinking of the support Kay Wean has received and the prison ministries that records imprisoned fathers and mothers reading children’s books and then taking the recordings to the prisoner’s children as a way of connecting parent and child.  A shorter version of the last theme line is, “A church that cares for people.”  Another theme line, “A place where you get connected with God and others” uses a very popular term “connected” to show that people are connected to God and others through worship, study, service, and fellowship.  Finally, a shorter version is simple the word “Connected.”

            Once a theme line is defined for Epiphany, Epiphany’s disciples can use that line to differentiate Epiphany from other churches.  And, we can use it to invite family, friends, and neighbors to join us in worship, study, service, and fellowship.

            Join the discussion!  What is the theme line you would give to Epiphany?  What very short sentence describes the essence of our congregation for you?  What does this sentence communicate about Epiphany and what Epiphany does?

Pastor Pete

A Way To Read The Bible

    I received an e-mail about my sermon delivered the first Sunday of Lent.  The sender asked me how I interpreted the scriptural passages that called for the death of every man, woman, and child when Israel was fighting a “holy war” and how I could endorse the church’s abuse of power in the middle ages.  I asked permission to share my answer to that e-mail.
                There are four fundamental approaches to interpreting the Bible.  1. Some approach the Bible as revelation.  This approach is predominate in the fundamentalist church.  In the words of a bumper sticker: God said it, I believe it, that settles it.  ELCA Lutherans usually do not read the Bible this way.  They usually maintain that the Bible contains the Word of God written by men (some scholars maintain women as well) as God inspired them.  These writers use the idiom of their day and their own personal experiences to describe God’s intervention into human history.
                2.  Some approach the Bible through its “sitz-en-leben” (its social context).  In this approach, the reader tries to determine the social context of a text and then determine the meaning of a text in terms of its context.  For example, the social context of a holy war 1,000 years BCE was to kill your enemy and his entire family; i.e., the command given to Saul.  This context does not exist today; therefore, such a directive would not be given by God or God’s followers.  Sitz-en-leben was the way I was trained in seminary.  I think there is great value in this approach.  I should add that if this is the only approach used to understand the Bible you will be an expert on Trivial Pursuit but the Bible will have little impact on the way you live today.  Connections need to be made between the context of yesterday and the context of today.
                3.  Some approach the Bible as a narrative.  In this approach, individual passages are not to be isolated from the larger story.  It is only when you see the larger story that you can begin to understand what a passage is trying to communicate.  This approach was taught in the seminary after I graduated.  It draws on the tradition that the books of the Bible are to be read as a whole and not as individual passages.  I always try to read a text as part of a larger piece of work.
                4.  Some approach the Bible as a book of social justice.  This approach is usually labeled “Liberation Theology.”  From this perspective, only those passages which call for social justice and condemn injustices such as racism, sexism, etc. are to be read and followed.  It seems to me that the mainline Protestant denominations emphasize this approach over the first three mentioned.
                More specifically, I believe the Bible is evolutionary; i.e., God’s people are continually learning more and more about the creator and savior of the world.  With this understanding, I would look at the passages that call for the killing of men, women, and children in their context and then compare those passages to the teachings of Jesus and Paul (New Testament).
    I would agree that the church has not always lived up to its ideals.  But I would also say, no one else in western civilization established orphanages, hospitals, fed the poor, or championed the disenfranchised until the middle of the 20th century.  Here Lutheran theology kicks in – the church is both saint and sinner at the same time.
    In conclusion, I try to use all four approaches when I read a text because all four help me understand what the writer wants to tell me about God, about me, and about what God wants me to do.
Pastor Pete

Emphasize The Positive

    Charlie Shedd was a marriage counselor.  He believed that a couple who was having marital issues could only see the problems in their marriage.  The challenge was to get the couple to see what was good in their marriage instead of seeing only problems.
    To meet the challenge of getting a couple to see the good in their marriage, Charlie would have the husband and the wife write separate lists of what irked them in their spouse’s behavior.  Composing this list was easy because when you fight your spouse’s faults are right before you.  The lists were then shared with the other.  Then Charlie would have the couple compose a second list which defined what each liked about their spouse.  This was a very difficult list to write.  Remember, they were fighting.  The couple exchanged lists.  Then, each promised to read out loud the list of what they liked about their spouse each day.  Charlie’s theorized that a husband or wife could better manage the negatives in marriage if they were constantly reminded of what they liked in their spouse.
    I have begun to compile a list of what I like about Epiphany so when the first frustrating day arrives (and it will) I will be able to read my list of positives to counter balance what is irking me.  Following is my list thus far.
    I really like the pride that the disciples of Epiphany and its staff take in their ministry.  For example, when I visited the Pantry, its staff beamed as they showed me all that they do to help those in need.  I see pride in the assisting ministers and in preparing PowerPoint slides.  These examples of pride exude enthusiasm which is contagious.
    Closely connected to pride is the joy of those who serve.  This joy indicates responsibilities are well matched with spiritual gifts.  Epiphany’s disciples are energized and work many hours because they enjoy what they are doing.
    I really like the willingness to change.  In my first week, I noticed that every morning the “guest” parking spots were filled.  At staff meeting I asked where are all the “guests?”  Guest parking during the week was translated in “staff parking.”  We now have several guest parking spots open to make those visiting Monday through Friday feel welcome.  The lights over the staircase from the lower to upper levels have been turned on so that Epiphany is a more inviting place.  For staff to park in the spots not marked for guests and for all gathering space lights to be on are big things.  They indicate we really want Epiphany to grow and thrive.
    Finally, I like the forward thinking of the staff.  I have been in conversation on how to create a new structure for the reporting on the budget so Council can see quickly the scope of Epiphany’s ministry.  I have had conversations on how to raise Epiphany’s visibility (marketing) in the community.  These are internal changes which will enhance the effectiveness of decision making and ministry.
    I am going to continue to add to my list of likes about Epiphany.  If you were to compile your own list of likes about Epiphany, what would be on that list?
    Two quick additional thoughts.  First, a list of likes about Epiphany can easily be shared with non-members as a way to invite them to come to the Lenten small groups, other ministry programs, and worship.  Second, making a list about what you like about your work, your friends, and other activities can make a big difference in what you feel about life.
Pastor Pete

Tradition

Tradition
    All congregations depend upon tradition in their teaching and decision making.  Some congregations readily acknowledge the importance of tradition while others deny its existence.  It does not matter whether or not tradition is acknowledged, tradition determines the why and how of teaching and decision making.
    There are three types of traditions in the church and its congregations.  The first type is tradition spelled with a capital “T” (Tradition).  Tradition, with a capital T, contains the core values of the Christian faith.  For example, Tradition for the western (Latin), eastern (Orthodox), and Egyptian (Coptic) churches are stated in the Apostles, Nicene, and Athanasius Creeds; i.e., there is one triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), Jesus is God’s son who lived, died, and rose again.  The Holy Spirit guides and strengthen the church and individual believers.  In addition, there are six or seven biblical passages that set the foundation of particular church bodies.  For example, Peter proclaims Jesus to be “the Christ” at Caesarea Philippi and Jesus responds, “...you are Peter and upon this rock I build my church...”  The Protestant Church believes the rock upon which the church is built is the confession, “you are the Christ” while Roman Catholics believe the rock is Peter, the first pope.  Tradition with a capital “T” does not change no matter what the circumstances are.
    The second tradition is tradition spelled with a small “t.”  Tradition, with a small “t” defines a congregation’s moral and ethical teachings.  Unlike Tradition, the morals and ethics of the church are changeable, but they change very slowly.  For example, Jesus changes the moral teaching of the Fifth Commandment, You shall not kill.  The commandment forbid physical violence to the point of death.  Jesus expands the commandment to include hating another person.  In my life time, I have seen the response to divorced people radically change from no divorced person is welcomed in the church to divorced individuals are part of our community.  There is usually resistance to the change in moral teachings but eventually that resistance gives way to acceptance.
    The third type of tradition is spelled with a small “t” and ends with an “s.”  Traditions, with a small “t” and “s” are expression of congregational  piety.  For example, the color of hymnal; i.e., in my life-time Lutheran hymnals were black, red, green, and now red again.  Some believers sit when they pray, others stand, with the liturgical renewal came a return to kneeling.  Tradition with small “t” and “s” is “traditional” or “contemporary” worship.  The list goes on forever.  This type of “traditions” changes on a daily basis depending upon the circumstances.  Unfortunately, most church fights are over traditions.
    As a pastor, I use the three types of traditions in my decision making.  There is no flexibility with Tradition, core beliefs.  I am willing to stop, listen, learn, pray and maybe even change my mind when it comes to tradition, moral and ethical decisions.  Then there is traditions.  Here, I am very flexible, or at least I would like to think that I am flexible when it comes to traditions.
    So let me ask you, What is Tradition, the unchangeable, in your faith?  What is your tradition, morals and ethics, in your living?  And, what are the traditions in your own personal piety?  Answering these questions can explain why you feel the way you do over the teaching and decision making of Epiphany, the ELCA, and the church catholic.
Pastor Pete

Rumors and Reality

    Ever since the vote at the national assembly of the ELCA in 2009, there have been rumors and speculations about how congregations and pastors would respond to the decision reached by the assembly’s voting members.  Epiphany was one of the top five on the rumor mill of the Southern Ohio Synod.  It was rumored, “The congregation is divided.”  “Epiphany would leave the ELCA.” “Epiphany is financially unable to continue ministry.”
    When I told my friends and colleagues that I accepted the call to be Epiphany’s interim senior pastor, their responses were predictable given the rumors.  “You’re entering where angels feared to tread.”  Condolences were offered.  I was told what a great challenge I faced.  There were two exceptions to these comments.  The first was from my wife, Joyce, who said, “You have to do it.”  The second was from a friend, “It will be good for Epiphany and for you.”
    When consultants work with congregations who have had a fight, they address the three “Cs”: 1. Comfort the hurting, 2. Clearly define reality, and 3. Convey hope.  During my first week at Epiphany, I watched and listened for the three Cs.
    Comfort the hurting is the first key to returning a congregation to health. Comforting the hurting was already occurring at Epiphany.  Epiphany’s disciples openly talked about their anger, frustration, and the feeling of being betrayed.  This is healthy.  These emotions need to be out in the open.  Epiphany's disciples and the staff were and are caring for each other.  In putting together the transition team, we will continue this ministry.
    Clearly defining reality is the second key to returning to health.  When congregations face a threat to their existence, there are three options for dealing with that threat.  The first is to deny it, and the second is to be completely overwhelmed by it.  Neither option is healthy.  Epiphany is employing the third option; namely, facing the threat caused by some members leaving, managing the challenges caused by this loss, and looking to the future.  This third option was evident in the presentations at the annual meeting this past Sunday.  Epiphany is managing its finances, paying its bills, and planning its future.
    Hope is the third key to returning to health.  Hope has two meanings.  First, it means tomorrow can be different than today.  Second, hope means “certainty.”  For me, the message of hope was delivered when Chad Burton stated that Epiphany would very shortly begin the process of seeking a new senior pastor.  Hope was also symbolized in the laughter and joking at the meeting.  Healthy congregations laugh.
    In summary, the rumors I heard over the past year negatively overstate what I experienced at Epiphany this past week.  Over the last week, I saw comfort for the hurting, clearly defining reality and managing that reality, and signs of hope.
    By the way, on a personal note, the rumor mill had me leaving the ELCA -- I am still here.
Pastor Pete