Christians believe that history does not have to repeat itself. While other (ancient) world religions understood life as a cycle of events, Jews and Christians understood history as having a beginning and moving in a line towards an ultimate goal. Special events such as the Exodus and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus only need to happen once. They are not repeated; they are to be remembered. This staple of biblical and systematic theology seems to fly in the face of life as we live it today. Let me explain.
The Emperor Nero spent fantastic amounts of money on himself and his own comfort. His estate (palace and grounds) contained large living space, lavish (swimming) pools, gardens, etc. When he died, large portions of his estate were taken to build recreational space for the general population. Today, the Colosseum sits on the site of Nero’s pools. The purpose of the Colosseum was to entertain the general population so that they would not notice the troubles and challenges that constantly faced Rome and its emperors. In fact, the Colosseum and its “sports” worked so well in distracting the general population that the emperors paid the admission cost out of their own personal treasury for all who attended the games.
I think in our own way, we have built our own Colosseum(s) today. In February, it is the Super Bowl for football. In March, it is “March Madness” for basketball. During the summer months, it is the majors in golf. In October, it is the Fall Classic for baseball. (In regional areas, add to the list the opening day for fishing and hunting seasons.) For many, these are religious holidays. These events are the center of our attention and nothing will distract us from them.
About a week ago, NPR ran the story about how Michael (I think this was his name) was reprimanded for running a pool on March Madness teams. It cost $5.00 to get in on the action. Michael is 11 years old and his school principal was not amused by the number of students who were part of the pool. The story ended by telling us that Michael had North Carolina going all the way.
As I listen to conversations all around me, I hear lots of grumbling about the costs of our Colosseums and their athletes. Can you believe that so and so signed for $90 million? It doesn’t matter that Syracuse has had ethical problems and its star center cannot play because of grades, Syracuse wins and fills the seats of its Colosseum every game. In our society there are three standards when it comes to our Colosseums; namely, win, fill the seats, win. Nothing else counts.
I am not against sports. I will watch sporting events on television especially on a Sunday afternoon. That makes me part of the problem. Television revenue pays the bill. But what concerns me is that a ball game or a golf match can so dominate life that everything else pales in importance when my team is playing.
Last summer I stood in the Colosseum in Rome and listened to a wonderful lecture about how this building and its sports distracted the Romans from the challenges that faced them. As I remember that lecture, I see the same allure and distraction in our Colosseums and that scares me.
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
What's New?
There are three things on my mind as I write this blog. Well, there are really four, five, or six, but I will keep it to three.
First, I have been asked on several occasions lately about the call process for a new senior pastor. My answer has been the Call Committee is functioning. In fact, this coming Thursday a candidate will be visiting Epiphany. The schedule is simple. The candidate arrives on Thursday and leaves on Friday. The visit includes tours of the buildings and the surrounding communities, meals with a few members of the committee, a three hour interview with the whole committee, and a meeting with the staff. After the candidate’s departure, both he and the Committee decide if the process will continue. On the light side, I have wondered how the Call Committee is going to do all of this and have the new senior pastor at Epiphany by this Easter morning. I have been told by one member of the Committee that he doesn’t feel the miracle of the new pastor arriving by this Easter.
There is usually an apology connected with the question about the progress of the Call Committee. The individual wants to assure me that I have done nothing wrong, that I am not being pushed out the door, and maybe he or she should not have asked the question. There is great concern for my feelings. Let me assure you that Epiphany and its disciples have been great. For the health of Epiphany, the new senior has to come. The question about the Call Committee is appropriate. My feelings are in no way hurt.
The second thing on my mind is two task forces that have just been formed. One task force is addressing the ministry at the Austin campus. This task force will answer the question, What will it take for Austin to be a growing congregation? According to the Southern Ohio Synod, for a congregation to be self-sustaining it must have an average worship attendance of 125 per weekend to support ministry that meets the needs of its members and the surrounding community. The Austin Task Force is current preparing a survey for those who worship at this campus. The task force will also survey the community to determine the ministries that we can deliver to meet the needs of its neighbors. I have asked Erin Halogowski and Jane Lane to think about how young people in confirmation can meet the requirements of this program at Austin instead of at Far Hills. This report is due no later than June of this year.
Far Hills will have a similar task force. This task force will study the demographics of the communities that surround the Far Hills campus. It will ask and answer the question, What are the ministries that need to be in place five and ten years from now so that the Far Hills campus will be growing as a result of meeting the needs of those who worship at this campus and those who live in the surrounding community?
Finally, I am thinking about the fun I am having with the Lenten series. While I believe serving the Lord is the primary reason behind what a Christian does, I believe thoroughly enjoying yourself in that service is an absolute plus. It has been fun for me to revisit Mark and to share both old and new insights with you.
Pastor Pete
First, I have been asked on several occasions lately about the call process for a new senior pastor. My answer has been the Call Committee is functioning. In fact, this coming Thursday a candidate will be visiting Epiphany. The schedule is simple. The candidate arrives on Thursday and leaves on Friday. The visit includes tours of the buildings and the surrounding communities, meals with a few members of the committee, a three hour interview with the whole committee, and a meeting with the staff. After the candidate’s departure, both he and the Committee decide if the process will continue. On the light side, I have wondered how the Call Committee is going to do all of this and have the new senior pastor at Epiphany by this Easter morning. I have been told by one member of the Committee that he doesn’t feel the miracle of the new pastor arriving by this Easter.
There is usually an apology connected with the question about the progress of the Call Committee. The individual wants to assure me that I have done nothing wrong, that I am not being pushed out the door, and maybe he or she should not have asked the question. There is great concern for my feelings. Let me assure you that Epiphany and its disciples have been great. For the health of Epiphany, the new senior has to come. The question about the Call Committee is appropriate. My feelings are in no way hurt.
The second thing on my mind is two task forces that have just been formed. One task force is addressing the ministry at the Austin campus. This task force will answer the question, What will it take for Austin to be a growing congregation? According to the Southern Ohio Synod, for a congregation to be self-sustaining it must have an average worship attendance of 125 per weekend to support ministry that meets the needs of its members and the surrounding community. The Austin Task Force is current preparing a survey for those who worship at this campus. The task force will also survey the community to determine the ministries that we can deliver to meet the needs of its neighbors. I have asked Erin Halogowski and Jane Lane to think about how young people in confirmation can meet the requirements of this program at Austin instead of at Far Hills. This report is due no later than June of this year.
Far Hills will have a similar task force. This task force will study the demographics of the communities that surround the Far Hills campus. It will ask and answer the question, What are the ministries that need to be in place five and ten years from now so that the Far Hills campus will be growing as a result of meeting the needs of those who worship at this campus and those who live in the surrounding community?
Finally, I am thinking about the fun I am having with the Lenten series. While I believe serving the Lord is the primary reason behind what a Christian does, I believe thoroughly enjoying yourself in that service is an absolute plus. It has been fun for me to revisit Mark and to share both old and new insights with you.
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Practicing The Fundamentals
The legendary football coach Vince Lombardi believed that a team should be so well trained in the fundamentals of a play that the team could tell its opponent what play they were going to run and still be successful in executing the play. If you practice and execute the fundamentals, you will win Lombardi believed.
I believe the same is true in living out our faith. If Christians continually practiced and executed the fundamentals of their faith, they would know God’s grace in daily life.
Martin Luther believed in going back to the fundamentals. He instructed his followers that when they rise in the morning and when they go to bed at night they should make the sign of the cross, then recite the 10 Commandments to remind themselves that they do not always behave as Jesus would have them behave. Then they were to recite the Apostle Creed to remind themselves that Jesus came to die on a cross so their sins (dysfunctional behaviors) could be forgiven. Finally, they were to pray the Lord’s Prayer to remind themselves that Jesus was a source of help and comfort in their daily lives. Luther believed that if Christians practiced everyday the Commandments, Creed, and Lord’s Prayer they would be able to withstand any temptation that might come their way.
As you know, I have been teaching the Gospel According to St. Mark on Wednesday evenings during Lent. I have taught Bible studies on Mark in the past. As I review the material, re-work and re-write what I have previous taught, I find that I am remembering many facets of Mark that I have forgotten. Helping to spur my memory is reading a commentary on Mark by Pheme Perkings. Each time I teach a Bible study like Mark, I am forced to go back to the fundamentals of my faith.
A final example is a presentation I am making this Thursday to Lutheran pastors on the Augsburg Confession. While all eight of the Lutheran Confessions (documents that define what Lutheran really believe) a supposedly equal, the Augsburg Confession is the document that is always quoted. As I worked on this presentation, there were parts of the Confession that I knew by heart. There were other parts that I know I have read in the past because I had underlined particular words, phrases, and sentences throughout these parts of the Confession. Through the preparation for my presentation I have come to renew my appreciation of the uniqueness of Lutherans especially in the Lutheran understanding of theology.
So let me ask, if Lombardi and Luther are right when they say practice and execute the fundamentals, how do you practice the fundamentals of your faith? Do you set aside time for daily Bible reading and prayer? Is weekly worship a priority? How do you reach out to touch others because the Bible teaches that we are our brother’s keeper? A good practice schedule builds a strong faith-filled life.
Pastor Pete
I believe the same is true in living out our faith. If Christians continually practiced and executed the fundamentals of their faith, they would know God’s grace in daily life.
Martin Luther believed in going back to the fundamentals. He instructed his followers that when they rise in the morning and when they go to bed at night they should make the sign of the cross, then recite the 10 Commandments to remind themselves that they do not always behave as Jesus would have them behave. Then they were to recite the Apostle Creed to remind themselves that Jesus came to die on a cross so their sins (dysfunctional behaviors) could be forgiven. Finally, they were to pray the Lord’s Prayer to remind themselves that Jesus was a source of help and comfort in their daily lives. Luther believed that if Christians practiced everyday the Commandments, Creed, and Lord’s Prayer they would be able to withstand any temptation that might come their way.
As you know, I have been teaching the Gospel According to St. Mark on Wednesday evenings during Lent. I have taught Bible studies on Mark in the past. As I review the material, re-work and re-write what I have previous taught, I find that I am remembering many facets of Mark that I have forgotten. Helping to spur my memory is reading a commentary on Mark by Pheme Perkings. Each time I teach a Bible study like Mark, I am forced to go back to the fundamentals of my faith.
A final example is a presentation I am making this Thursday to Lutheran pastors on the Augsburg Confession. While all eight of the Lutheran Confessions (documents that define what Lutheran really believe) a supposedly equal, the Augsburg Confession is the document that is always quoted. As I worked on this presentation, there were parts of the Confession that I knew by heart. There were other parts that I know I have read in the past because I had underlined particular words, phrases, and sentences throughout these parts of the Confession. Through the preparation for my presentation I have come to renew my appreciation of the uniqueness of Lutherans especially in the Lutheran understanding of theology.
So let me ask, if Lombardi and Luther are right when they say practice and execute the fundamentals, how do you practice the fundamentals of your faith? Do you set aside time for daily Bible reading and prayer? Is weekly worship a priority? How do you reach out to touch others because the Bible teaches that we are our brother’s keeper? A good practice schedule builds a strong faith-filled life.
Pastor Pete
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
No More Political Ads
I am writing this on election/primary day morning, March 6, 2012. My heart is rejoicing because this is the day that negative political ads stop. Through these ads, I have heard over and over again that Romney lies and is not a true conservative and how Santorum has become a Washington insider over the last 20 years. What is most disturbing about these ads is that they are not paid for or coordinated by a candidate. They are produced and paid for by a PAC which has total control over each ads’ content.
On January 24, 2012, I listened to National Public Radio as I was driving to Epiphany. As one of their segments, David Greene reported on the senatorial race in Massachusetts between Senator Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren. These two individuals had signed an agreement on how their campaigns would be conducted. The agreement was that no PAC ads were allowed on their behalf. If a PAC aired an attack ad against the candidate’s opponent or an ad supporting the candidate, the candidate would write a check to a charity from his or her campaign funds in the amount of the cost of the ad. It was reasoned that writing such a check would hurt the candidate’s effort to be elected thus forcing PACs to stop advertising in Massachusetts. In essence, each candidate would be held responsible for whatever ads were produced to attack their opponent or describe themselves.
Since January, I have wondered how this agreement has worked. I have been intrigued with the novel idea that a candidate should be held responsible for his or her own thoughts, words, and behaviors. No blaming others for what has been put into print, aired on radio or television, or sent through the social media. If this idea really worked, we would have a much better picture of who a candidate really is, how they think, and what is of value to him or her. And, since the agreement between Brown and Warren was done voluntarily, the Supreme Court’s ruling that PACs are legal does not come into play.
I have also wondered what would happen if Christians would make the same agreement among themselves? What would happen if we did not use third parties to relay our feelings (mostly negative) about another person who we feel has wronged us? What would happen if we followed Luther’s explanation of the 8th Commandment, “We should fear and love God, and we should not tell lies about our neighbor, nor betray him, but should apologize for him, speak well of him, and interpret charitably all that he does.”? What would happen if we talked to each other face to face and not behind another person’s back as Luther suggests? If we could do this, we would witness to the world a radically new way in which people can live together in peace. If we would follow what our faith teaches us maybe the agreement between Brown and Warren would not be such a novel agreement.
As I said above, I am rejoicing that the negative political ads will be over by this evening. In their place, I will once again be told if only I use the right shampoo, I will be popular and all the world will love me.
Pastor Pete
On January 24, 2012, I listened to National Public Radio as I was driving to Epiphany. As one of their segments, David Greene reported on the senatorial race in Massachusetts between Senator Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren. These two individuals had signed an agreement on how their campaigns would be conducted. The agreement was that no PAC ads were allowed on their behalf. If a PAC aired an attack ad against the candidate’s opponent or an ad supporting the candidate, the candidate would write a check to a charity from his or her campaign funds in the amount of the cost of the ad. It was reasoned that writing such a check would hurt the candidate’s effort to be elected thus forcing PACs to stop advertising in Massachusetts. In essence, each candidate would be held responsible for whatever ads were produced to attack their opponent or describe themselves.
Since January, I have wondered how this agreement has worked. I have been intrigued with the novel idea that a candidate should be held responsible for his or her own thoughts, words, and behaviors. No blaming others for what has been put into print, aired on radio or television, or sent through the social media. If this idea really worked, we would have a much better picture of who a candidate really is, how they think, and what is of value to him or her. And, since the agreement between Brown and Warren was done voluntarily, the Supreme Court’s ruling that PACs are legal does not come into play.
I have also wondered what would happen if Christians would make the same agreement among themselves? What would happen if we did not use third parties to relay our feelings (mostly negative) about another person who we feel has wronged us? What would happen if we followed Luther’s explanation of the 8th Commandment, “We should fear and love God, and we should not tell lies about our neighbor, nor betray him, but should apologize for him, speak well of him, and interpret charitably all that he does.”? What would happen if we talked to each other face to face and not behind another person’s back as Luther suggests? If we could do this, we would witness to the world a radically new way in which people can live together in peace. If we would follow what our faith teaches us maybe the agreement between Brown and Warren would not be such a novel agreement.
As I said above, I am rejoicing that the negative political ads will be over by this evening. In their place, I will once again be told if only I use the right shampoo, I will be popular and all the world will love me.
Pastor Pete
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