Yesterday, our national leaders failed to pass a bill touted as “common sense” legislation that would extend the use of background checks in gun sales. It was hoped that the bill might help keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of people ill-equipped to use them for legal purposes.
In the land of the free, the only adults who do not have a right to carry guns are those with already detected serious mental impairment and those with criminal convictions.
Who knows if the bill would have made a difference or not? Many of the gun tragedies are committed by people with undetected mental impairment.
But at least, someone was trying. Someone was looking for answers outside the status quo.
If ever there was an opportunity to prevent the growing list of tragedies such as Sandy Hook, it is now—just four months after we buried 20 first-graders and the people who taught them.
Gun lobbyists stand in the way, promising to make election or reelection difficult for any candidate who attempts to tighten control on the rights of individuals to wield instruments of considerable destruction.
Military grade weaponry is impractical for personal defense. They just don’t fit in pocket or purse!
I can’t recall ever hearing that a home was protected by the fortunate owner of an AR-15 Bushmaster Semi-automatic Rifle, the weapon used at Sandy Hook. Perhaps just knowing it might be there by the nightstand is enough to keep the bad guys away. Just imagine the scene:
Honey, I think I hear a burglar.
Don’t worry, dear. I just loaded my rifle with a 100-cartridge clip last night.
There is an answer to the power of the lobbyists. It doesn’t require supporting a host of smooth-talking advocates to wine and dine your representatives in Washington.
The answer is to create an online lobby. There is nothing to join. No dues to pay.
Use the mightiest weapon in the world. The keyboard.
If you support tighter gun controls, write about it online. Don’t just write to your senators and congressional representatives. Write to the world.
Lobbyists are needed only when they represent a self-interest—most likely a minority self-interest.
Their voice is heard because . . . well, because THEY use it.
Now, as Senator Toomey said, on to other problems like the economy. We don’t seem to be able to solve that one either.
In yesterday’s post, which was our weekly object lesson idea for adult listeners, we proposed having your congregation draft a résumé for Jesus.
Modern résumés often included visuals and your resume for Jesus can take advantage of this.
We suggested that your listeners consider attaching a photo of Jesus as shepherd to their résumé to enhance your congregational discussion.
Images abound on the internet. We’ve chose a few that have varying nuances.
The topic is one of the earliest to be depicted in Christian art.
Here is an Eastern religious icon.
There are more familiar depictions. The painting by German artist, Bernard Plockhorst, has been reproduced in stained glass art in sanctuaries all across America. Note the mother sheep nudging at Jesus left hand as if to encourage him to care for her lamb he is carrying. (See yesterday’s post.)
There are comforting presentations. In this image, Jesus pays careful attention to the youngest in the flock.
Here are two depictions that were published in France as prayer cards, probably in the 1800s.
The flock is chained to the cross. In the second depiction, Jesus seems to be engaged in work. There is intentional effort in his love.
Here we have a pensive Jesus. He is thinking of more than the sheep’s physical needs.
Last, we add a proactive, risk-taking Jesus, who under the shelter of an eagle’s wings risks his safety to reach out to sheep in danger.
John’s Gospel has one major objective. John seeks to define Jesus in a way that people will believe him to be the Messiah or Christ.
Every incident in John’s narrative adds new dimension to this mysterious person named Jesus.
He is a carpenter’s son, part of a well-known but common family. Often he is seen as a rabbi or teacher. The woman at the well calls him a prophet. Son of God? Son of Man? There are attempts to anoint him as King. He teaches. He heals. He raises people from the dead. Who is Jesus?
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus makes a pronouncement from the portico of the temple used by temple authorities to pronounce judgment. This is a place where people go to have difficult decisions explained to them.
So what Jesus says here —in this important place—may be his big moment.
The excitement must have been palpable. Would he declare himself King of the Jews? Would he use this moment to elevate his position? Would the lucky members of this audience experience an historic moment they will someday share with their grandchildren?
Jesus instead claims one of the lowliest jobs one can ever type into a résumé.
Occupation: Shepherd
Filling out a résumé is something your congregation will have experience doing. Ask them to write a résumé for Jesus. Describe his work experience as a shepherd and how these skills qualify him to be their spiritual leader.
Give them plenty of time to think beyond the obvious and do as little prompting as possible. Adults are capable of applying metaphors. Help them explore the metaphor more fully.
Be prepared for answers such as:
Comes from an experienced family
Save flock from predators
Ability to get rid of predators
Can feed flock
Can find clear water for flock
Keep the flock together
Heal the sick or wounded
Make each sheep feel wanted
Plays with lambs
Responsibility to account for each sheep and lamb
Seek fresh resources when food and water supplies are low
Train helpers when needed
Use a flip chart or white board to record the answers as you fill out Jesus’ résumé.
You might project some art. If you use several images, ask your members which one they would include on the résumé.
I read this morning some February news about the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod’s leadership reaction to December’s tragic massacre of the innocents in Sandy Hook, Connecticut. Their president, The Rev. Matthew Harrison, responded to criticism of the local Lutheran pastor for participating in a community prayer vigil in Sandy Hook, along with the leaders of other local faiths.
Why was this an issue? Common sense is for any Christian to grieve with the victims and the community, to demonstrate compassion and offer consolation.
No. As the nation wept inconsolably, some in the LCMS managed to dust off its rulebook to cite an ancient rule that their leaders are not to participate in interfaith prayer. All the grieving participants might get the idea that Lutherans agree with Muslims, Jews and Catholics, or perhaps—and heaven-forbid—love them. The grief of today does not measure in importance against eternal damnation for praying with those who believe differently.
Surely, interfaith dialog was the first thing on the minds of those attending.
At least one attendant would have understood. President Obama deals with the same progress-blocking thinking in politics. Party first! Denomination first!
In politics, elected representatives easily become alienated from the people they serve as soon as they are surrounded daily by those with party interests. Clergy, too, surround themselves with colleagues with denominational self-interest. The air is thin in their lofty headquarters.
But all is well, the offending pastor got the message. He humbly apologized, pointing out that he had taken steps to assure everyone present in Sandy Hook that he wasn’t endorsing the religious beliefs of other participating clergy.
The disclaimer before the benediction he delivered must have been a great comfort.
President Harrison, smugly acknowledges that the local pastor was in a difficult position and admonishes anyone from criticizing the repentant pastor too harshly. That falls a bit short of support.
Aren’t we, who live in multicultural society, often in this position? Lay people live and work every day with people of many faiths. Are we always to check the religious credentials of our neighbors before we address their needs—or our common needs—in prayer?
One of the objections seems to have been that the pastors were in their regalia. Perhaps they all should dress as Jesus did—just like everyone else!
While accepting the apology, President Harrison boasted of his leadership skills. He had taken the “unprecedented” step of contacting “the most prominent blogs in the synod and asking them to refrain from commenting on the issue.” He asked them to pull down any critical comments they had already posted.
“He [the pastor] didn’t need to be attacked,” Harrison said. He quickly turned his concern for the pastor and the traumatized community he serves back to concern for the denomination. “We don’t need a public airing of our pent-up grievances.”
The incident is so denominationally self-centered and so typical of the thinking of church leadership. In the wake of tragedies large and small, we tend to focus on denominational tenets and ignore all the teachings of the Lord we serve.
Meanwhile, we wonder. How long will it be before church leaders replicate President Harrison’s “unprecedented” step and make the monitoring of church bloggers a routine part of their perceived power?
We had a new ambassador with us today so we wanted to make sure he had a good experience. We returned to the first church we visited two years ago, Prince of Peace, Plymouth Meeting, Pa.
We found the church celebrating a happy day—the baptism of a nine-year-old boy. We were greeted by people who remembered our last visit. We were delighted to find their worship population had doubled from our last visit.
Prince of Peace is celebrating their 50th anniversary. As the service began, an announcement was made. They were looking for names of people previously involved in their church. The woman making the announcement mentioned two people specifically. One was a prominent member of Redeemer! The other had worked with one of our ambassadors. We were happy to tell them what we knew about them.
Prince of Peace’s pastor, Rev. John Jorgenson, has been working to launch a program that centers on the strength of the family. He has a particular passion for families living with autism. He has been working with neighborhood groups and church agencies and his program, No Family Left Behind, launches in May.
We had a lovely morning, including a nice fellowship reception for their new young member.
The lectionary this morning tells the story of our Lord’s commissioning of Peter to lead his church. A simple exchange between Jesus and his most dynamic disciple has led to the hierarchical church we know today.
We are reposting a cartoon that addresses “Feed My Sheep” Sunday and our situation.
I received an anonymous letter from a member of a SEPA congregation this week. The writer added a note that she was sending the letter to ELCA Presiding Bishop Hanson and several other church leaders including our local bishop.
She noted that she doubted letters make any difference. True, anonymous letters give the recipient an excuse to blow off any point the writer makes no matter how valid.
We understand the need for anonymity. We live in a Synod that is funding its ministry with seizures of property and lawsuits against laity.
Clergy have no room to criticize. Their universal silence on these issues is a form of anonymity.
We at Redeemer have written many signed letters almost all of which have been ignored. The single exception was the first letter we wrote to Bishop Hanson, probably early 2008. The Bishop glibly dismissed our very serious issues. Lots of God words, no God actions. His attitude trickles down to his staff and clergy. The ELCA legal offices, funded with parishioner offerings, responded to a Redeemer member’s letter with a note that they feel no obligation to get involved. Bishop Burkat has never responded to any of our letters. The people we pay to be there to make sure the congregations are protected spend our offerings protecting themselves.
We are going to reprint this anonymous letter because it has value. This writer took the time to understand the issues — something SEPA clergy, the Synod Council and Synod Assembly and the courts have failed to do. This writer nails the issues. Write on!
Here’s the letter (with minor spelling/grammar edits):
Dear Bishop Hanson,
I belong to Peace Lutheran Church in Bensalem, Pa., which is part of SEPA Synod. I recently attended a charity event in Philadelphia and met a woman from a church in Lansford, Pa. We got into a conversation about Redeemer Lutheran Church and Bishop Claire Burkat and how sad that their church was taken from them and how their valiant fight to regain their spiritual home was knocked down by the Pa Supreme Court, citing “church vs. state.” The woman I sat with told me that her church belongs to the Slovak-Zion Synod and that their Bishop (Rev. Wilma S. Kucharek) was investigated by the authorities for making improper withdrawals from a congregation’s accounts, causing the downfall of a church in New Jersey. She locked them out of their own church, like Burkat, and then sold their properties for a huge sum of money, forcing the congregation to now worship in a rented facility when they already had a mortgage-free church and parsonage of their own. She heard this from some people she knows that had attended a Synod Assembly cruise. Are you even aware of this in Chicago?
What kind of organization allows the taking of church properties that were built and paid for by the members of these congregations without any help from their synods. Just because you have hidden clauses in your constitutions that allow Synod Bishops to abscond with properties does NOT make it morally right. It is actually criminal to take by force another’s possessions for your own profit or gain. These clauses do not appear in the congregation’s constitution (I checked) but appear in the Synod’s constitution. How sneaky. Why didn’t you put this language in the congregations’ constitutions and spell it out more clearly so the average parishioner can understand the language? “That the Synod Bishop may close, at his/her discretion, the congregation’s church, seize their property, sell it, and then distribute the funds as he/she sees fit.” Wouldn’t that be more befitting to a religious organization to be honest and more forthcoming with the followers. You should also point out to the congregation to NOT come to you with their problems because you are an “interdependent” organization.
I am ashamed of how the ELCA has disgraced the Lutheran religion by ignoring Martin Luther’s principles of fair play for all. He would never condone abusing the weak by taking their possessions to further enhance one’s already lofty standing. Greed is a terrible sin. God knows who these bishops are. They can’t fool him with their empty prayers and their false justifications that they are doing this for the overall good of the Synod. These thefts of properties will be seen for what they are by the Lord.
Bishop Hanson, I’m sorry to say, the ELCA is now being run by bureaucrats and lawyers who don’t know what it’s like to honor the Lord by doing what is right in the Lord’s eyes and not the courts. There can be a happy medium but right now there isn’t. By the interdependent nature of the ELCA, you’ve divorced yourselves from your followers (the mass that supports the organization) by taking away their right to a fair an unbiased hearing regarding the closing of their churches. They can’t go to the courts because of the “separation between the church and state.” The Synod assemblies are a joke. The people who sit on these assemblies have no training in judicial matters in order to make proper judgments. They are just parishioners of local churches who volunteer to attend a yearly gathering and are clueless as to what’s going on. They are heavily influenced by the bishops, plus I don’t think that the bishops even need their approval to close a church.
It’s just so wrong that just one person can decide the fate of so many. At least the Catholics can go the Vatican Council in Rome where they have already overturned church closings in places like Cleveland, Ohio, by over-ruling local Bishops. The Lutherans have no such recourse.
Claire Burkat may have sued some members of Redeemer for standing up to her abuses, but she will not be able to sue me.
Signed, Disgusted
Here are a Few More Supporting Points
This writer describes the problems fairly accurately. The interdependent constitutions leave parishioners vulnerable to various self-serving interpretations, putting anyone who raises an issue at risk. Parishioners are the most vulnerable.
The writer also does not mention the founding Articles of Incorporation of ELCA Synods. These foundational documents forbid bishops from taking property and limit the power of the Synod Assembly. The writer is dead right that Synod Assemblies don’t know enough about church law to make decisions. Also, about a third of the Synod Assembly (the clergy) have a built-in bias. They owe their next call to their relationship with the bishop.
The clauses in the Synod constitutions have been altered over the years. The original model Synod Constitution calls for synodical administration to be temporary in nature and with the consent of the congregation. It was intended to help struggling congregations. Tweaks here and there presented to unsuspecting Synod Assemblies have reversed the intent of the constitution and violate the Articles of Incorporation—which was further compromised by Judge Lynn’s order regarding Redeemer, issued without hearing the case. Saint Paul knew what he was talking about when he advised church people to stay out of court!
Consequently, a clause intended to help congregations find their way through difficult times is now used to seize assets and help the synod through troubling times.
In Redeemer’s case, Redeemer appealed the issue of Synodical Administration to the Synod Assembly. The Synod Assembly never voted on the issue we appealed. Synod officials used our appeal to present a question allowing them to take our property (which we had not addressed in our appeal). Like lemmings the Synod Assembly voted on an entirely different issue—and an issue over which they have no constitutional authority. All SEPA Lutherans were victims of bait and switch.
Because of Synod Assemblies unquestioning decision, no Lutheran congregation really owns its own property anymore. A long-standing Lutheran tradition is gone. Your bishop needs only to make a claim on your property and your congregation is toast. There are no standards to be met. If Bishop Burkat needs your property to meet her budget (including her salary) she can claim it.
Back when Redeemer’s money was taken (1998) we were told the money would go to a Mission Fund. It was later reported that Mission Fund money is tapped by the Synod to fill deficits. When our Ambassadors visited Holy Spirit in NE Philadelphia, the week before they closed, their pastor explained that their money would go the the Bishop’s Discretionary Fund. At least that’s more transparent if not nobler. We suspect there is even less control over that fund than the misnamed Mission Fund.
We hope there are more letters written and we encourage you to sign them. Send them our way. As long as they are factually accurate, we will consider publishing them. At least you’ll know your letter has a chance of being read. Right now, the ELCA’s circular files are wide and deep!
The best people to put an end to the travesties of SEPA Synod are SEPA Lutherans. Ask your Synod Assembly to revisit the issues with Redeemer. We are still alive and well. We have grown a base of support during our years of exile and are ready to resume our ministry with our property— if SEPA Lutherans can ever manage to deal with the issues for which they have accepted responsibility.
It should be obvious to SEPA Lutherans that the sad story of Redeemer’s lack of viability was always a crock. Redeemer, even with many of its members in hiding, is stronger today than ever. We reach more people each week than any church in SEPA. We are positioned to restore our endowment to its 1990s high point—before SEPA cast its line over our waters (and they weren’t fishing for men).
There is more economic potential in open churches than in closed churches.
Organizations that thrive in the 21st Century will be distinguished by two attributes: entrepreneurship and organizational foresight.
He suggests that the word innovation be replaced with the word “entrepreneurship.”
He notes these subtle but significant differences (the bullets are quotes):
Innovation requires creativity but, unlike entrepreneurship, does not address issues like tolerance for risk, organizational agility, improvisational ability and speed.
Innovation often comes in bursts after focusing on discrete ideas and issues, while entrepreneurship requires cultivating a certain kind of culture, defined by a set of practices and attitudes that are infused throughout an organization.
Innovation implies the creation of something new, while entrepreneurship can mean dramatically improving what is already working with new vision and processes.
This sounds impossible. It is not. Even small churches can follow it.
The problem is that church hierarchies don’t recognize the potential. Armed with an impenetrable sense of entitlement and a tradition that supports it, they measure their congregations by ancient standards. These standards are failing almost everywhere!
The entrepreneurial church is not about making money for money’s sake, but is more about creating revenue streams with ministry projects. More lucrative ministries will provide funds for ministries that will never be self-supporting.
People today hesitate to give offerings, especially when they can’t see their offerings at work. More and more, congregations are begging for offerings just to help them survive — not to help them serve. It’s a losing proposition.
Less committed people of faith are not going to see this as a good investment of their time or tithe. They are more likely to contribute both money and energy to projects when they see them making a difference. They are not seeing this in churches that have budgets that are top-heavy in overhead.
There are many opportunities that are entirely in keeping with the mission of the Church.
One of Redeemer’s strengths is the ability to recognize opportunity.
There would be no conflict between Redeemer, East Falls, and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, if Redeemer had been nurtured and granted the freedom their constitution gives them to shape and fund their ministry in less traditional ways. Are we not regularly implored to “transform”?
Our Christian Day School, which was ready to open as a Christian School for the first time in 25 years, would be providing upwards of $6000 per month for ministry—and creating a Christian witness in a neighborhood which is losing its Christian schools.
Our aid to immigrant families would be producing $100,000 per year. Redeemer had a plan in place that would help immigrant first-time home buyers. The expertise of our members would ease the path to home ownership and the congregation would gain some money in the real estate transaction, which would then go to help another immigrant family.
Our website would generate another few thousand per month for ministry. The website reaches out to small churches all over the world.
More than enough resources for a neighborhood ministry.
This is no different from religious publishing houses making their living publishing books or religious social service agencies tapping into government revenue streams. And it doesn’t camouflage mission to meet government requirements.
Unfortunately, our regional body has no vision for its small churches. They are waiting for them to die.
What kind of content should congregations include on their web site?
Social media rules the internet and content is king!
There is untold power in using social media, but churches tend to lose interest in using the power at their fingertips.
Take some time to review typical church websites. Big church, small churches . . . they are all pretty much the same. They provide little more than basic information. They are called “brochure” web sites.
Typically, the opening page lists worship times and has a few photos of the church on Easter or Christmas.
Fancier church websites run some javascript and have photos fading in and out. Happy kids. Happy families. Choirs. Activities.
The links from the home page point to bios on clergy and staff and lists of programs offered by the church.
Somewhere there might be a nod to a mission statement or a Bible verse or two.
Job done. “We’re on the internet.”
This type of website may do no harm, but it doesn’t help a church stand out. Your members will take a look now and then. But the community and the unchurched are unlikely to ever stumble upon your church web site unless they are newcomers planning to spend a few Sundays church-shopping.
Your web site can be so much more!
But how? Where to you start?
The “brochure” web site is a start. But as soon as you can, attach a blog to it. It can be part of the same web address or it can be separate.
The blog has many advantages. It is easy to update. You won’t need to outsource this. The content you create for the church blog, will reflect your congregation’s personality. You might even find that the discipline of blogging will shape your congregation’s mission.
Filter the jargon. Don’t assume that your audience knows about church.
Show that you are part of your community. Include articles about secular organizations that share your mission. Link to their sites. Advertise events at the public library, local schools and parks. If your members are active in a local charity, ask them to write about their involvement. True, the focus is not the church, but the church will have positioned itself as being a spiritual hub in a vibrant community. Newcomers looking to learn about all sorts of things in your neighborhood will find your website — even when they weren’t looking for a church.
Have multiple voices. This is tough for churches. Church is accustomed to the pastor being the voice of the whole congregation. This was once a necessity—back when clergy were the only educated people in town. That is long ago, indeed. Have your pastor introduce other contributors, so there is a sense of teamwork and shared authority. The world expects this in the secular world and the unchurched are likely to find it welcoming in the religious world. Don’t exclude youth. They understand the power of the web.
Feed your lambs. Provide some spiritual food. The temptation is to reprint the sermon. There is nothing wrong with this — except it is not likely to be effective. One sentence excerpts from a sermon would be more effective. You might even ask your congregation to tweet a thought from the sanctuary as the sermon is being delivered! One-minute videos (easily produced with a smartphone) would also be good. Present this content so that it can be tweeted or shared on multiple social media channels.
Revamp the newsletter. Another temptation is to post a 16-page PDF of the congregation’s newsletter. This creates a barrier. Readers will think twice before down-loading the PDF. Only members are likely to do this. Pull the articles out of the newsletter and feature them as posts. You might find you have no need for a newsletter!
Serve. Provide links to organizations that can help troubled people. Does your church support a food pantry or shelter for homeless or abused people? Do you know of senior centers, day cares or counseling or support groups? Post that information on your web site. The organizations do not have to be church-sponsored or religiously affiliated. People looking for help don’t care about that. They might remember where they found help . . . and tell others. (It’s a good idea to ask permission. That step creates a contact for you with your neighborhood. Make friends. They might link to you!)
Teach. The Sunday School is all but dead. But people still have an interest in understanding their faith. Have a monthly theme and post something small about that theme each day. The modern attention span is short. A paragraph or two is sufficient. Done well, these snippets might lead to a live event where you can meet people.
Curate. Link your readers to interesting photos, articles or videos you find online. Have them open in a separate window so your readers don’t lose you. You will be not only sharing the Good News but you’ll draw some search engine traffic.
Help other churches. What? Isn’t that self-defeating? No! It’s called goodwill. Don’t be afraid to tell your readers about interesting things going on in other churches. They just may reciprocate.
This week’s Gospel revisits the concepts of call and commission. The structure of the Church today grows from Jesus’ threefold exchange with Simon Peter.The concept of call among clergy can be profound. Pastors discuss with passion the moment or process that brought them to “their call.”The process is a bit fuzzier for lay people and it often comes with less recognition and respect.The concept of call is not limited to clergy. Each person sitting in your church has a call. Some answer it with ease. Some struggle to discern and follow it. Tell the story of Simon Peter’s call. Remember, Jesus was talking to an ordinary man — a fisherman. He was meeting with him in his place of work—the seaside. Jesus and Simon Peter have a threefold exchange. We view this conversation as atonement for Peter’s threefold denial of Christ as he waited in the courtyard prior to the Crucifixion.
Do you love me?Yes, I love you.Feed my lambs.Do you love me?Yes, I love you.Tend my sheep.Do you love me?Yes, I love you.Feed my sheep.
Jesus packs a lot into a few short words. His message to us today is also told in three short words.
Love one another.
Put a person’s name in front of his two-word quote and you have another three-word quote.
Talk with people about their sense of call. Listen to their “call” stories. Chances are no one has ever asked them about their “call.” Your object today can be a cell phone. Ask two or three members in advance to leave their cell phones on.Call them right there during your sermon. Tell them you have a biblical message for them and a question. The biblical message: (Person’ name), follow me. The question: How will you follow the Lord? Consider finding ways to recognize the call of lay people. It can only make the Church stronger!
Join Bishop Ruby Kinisa as she visits small churches "under cover" to learn what people would never share if they knew they were talking to their bishop.
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Redeemer’s Prayer
We were all once strangers, the weakest, the outcasts, until someone came to our defense, included us, empowered us, reconciled us (1 Cor. 2; Eph. 2).
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On Isaiah 30:15b
Be calm. Wait. Wait. Commit your cause to God. He will make it succeed. Look for Him a little at a time. Wait. Wait. But since this waiting seems long to the flesh and appears like death, the flesh always wavers. But keep faith. Patience will overcome wickedness.
—Martin Luther
