Endangered Species: Church

Off the Grid.

2009-01-15T17:26:00.000-08:00

I've been off the grid for awhile. Attending to my ailing mother and cerebrally-absent almost-97-year-old grandmother. Not to mention my almost-6month-old, church, husband, dog....and me.

I'm sure I've learned something along the way. Bet there's a lesson in there....somewhere.

All I know is that I'm thankful to that things seem to be calming down an eensie bit so I can perhaps think and blog and pray a bit more. (Okay, I've been praying A LOT over the past few months!)

Someone emailed this to me, and I wanted to get your opinion:

"One of my observations about a postmodernism worldview is that it's reliance on inward validation (it's true because I believe it to be true) as opposed to outward validation (it's true because it corresponds to known facts) enables one to insert into that worldview whatever ideology they like, kind of a convenient coincidence."

What do you think of this observation? Do you agree or disagree? How does this impact the way we do theology and biblical criticism? Discuss....

Ode to the Business Card

2008-11-07T10:41:00.000-08:00

I've not written here for awhile...not because I've not had things to say, but because my mom has been in the hospital, mostly in ICU, since October 24th. She is making small strides which are encouraging....and I can attest to the power of prayer throughout all of this. Taking care of my 3 month old, being back at work and caring for my 96 year old grandmother with dementia on top of it all has been quite challenging...
Now onto what I really want to talk about: business cards. I've not been one to go out and get cards made up right away once I've shown up at a church. Why? It seems like every time I get business cards, something changes. Once it was my name (after I got married), a couple of times it has been my email address. I always seem to have to change something on my cards. But I've realized throughout this time with my mom why it is so important for pastors to have business cards.
WHY?
Well, there was some confusion about whether my mom's pastor visited her in ICU. Another pastor was kind enough to contact her church and the pastor to let them know she was very ill. She's been awesome about checking in with me and offering care to me throughout all of this (and visited my mom a couple of times, too!) Having heard nothing from the pastor, I thought for sure he had not visited. I asked her nurses who said they had not seen anyone but my brother and I...so I was puzzled. (I was there in the beginning almost twelve hours a day--husband and baby in tow...) When I talked to him he said he had seen her and then described an accurate picture of what he experienced (and I knew he had been there because it matched her condition at the time!). Had he left a business card somewhere in the room (on the little table, tacked to the board, etc.) letting us know he had been there, it would have offered a little bit of spiritual relief. Instead, we went on the notion that he had not gotten over to see someone from his congregation who was in critical condition. (Not a good image for a colleague to have of another!) I share this not to criticize my colleague who I respect, but to encourage all of us to see how this is a helpful practice!
The moral of the story: even if your card is inaccurate and the person you visit seems to be coherent, leave a card so that the family knows you have been there to see their loved one. It may seem silly, or simple, but an easy way to provide pastoral care.

A Post Worth Taking a Look At...

2008-10-14T15:55:00.000-07:00

Check out Molly's post about CA prop 8. Worth your time!

Economical Turmoil

2008-09-19T14:53:00.000-07:00

While I have been on maternity leave I've had the opportunity to spend plenty of time watching what is happening in the world around me on television while I bond and FEED my daughter. (She's quite a good eater, I might add...meaning I spend A LOT of time feeding her!) I've watched carefully these past few weeks as the economy has wobbled and the government bailed out this group and that. I've had a friend lose his job as a result of the latest market craziness. And our President came on television today to say, and I paraphrase, (I used the DVR 8 second button to make sure I heard him right) "we will persecute those (CEOS) who knowingly take advantage of investors." (He really did say persecute instead of prosecute. Yep, he is still our president until January.)
In her book Tribal Church, Carol Howard Merritt talks about the complex economic realities facing not only young people but all generations. Her words about how issues around money get lost in translation between generations is important for all folks in the Church to hear. She talks about how it is almost impossible for single young people to live on the salaries they make these days (which she points out is why many couples move in together before they marry-- it is a practical issue-- they can't afford not to!) She clearly states the way that Boomers are not willing to loan their children money to put a down payment on a house or to buy a sensible vehicle because they are scared to dip into their savings for retirement. (Though their parents loaned them the money at their children's age to do the same!) Since Boomers are living longer there is a need and desire to have adequate savings so that they can live comfortably into their golden years.
This brings me back to the rocky market and buyouts. Because of the way things have been handled, an already unsteady situation for many people in our pews has become even more so. As the Church, facing smaller tithes and offerings because of the financial hardship facing many faithful disciples, we are challenged to find ways to pay our bills and lovingly respond to the stewardship issues and crises facing our people. How do we respond when someone is about to lose their house because of the mortgage crisis? Are there ways for the Church to translate faithful stewardship in ways that doesn't sound self-serving?

Gratitude: There's a note for that! (Post-it® Notes Contest)

2008-09-03T12:42:00.001-07:00

While a clever commercial for post-its (does post-its really need to advertise?!) this video is a wonderful way to express gratitude. What would you do to express gratitude in this way?
Hat tip to Laura Gordon.

A New Understanding of Connection...

2008-08-19T08:17:00.000-07:00

One thing I read often about my generation and the ones following is that there is a deep longing for connection. This is usually followed by statements about how due to the fact that young people move a lot, don't know their neighbors, don't have smaller communities they gather with (like PTA or church groups), that young people seek ways to connect with each other outside traditional ways. And, because most of these observations are written by people of older generations, there is usually some sort of judgment about how bad these attempts at connection are.
I have to say that I have come to appreciate one of these ways of connecting with people a lot. I joined Facebook to have more ways to communicate with my friend Krista who is serving as a missionary in Germany. I also loved that I could connect with other friends on Facebook--and this has allowed me to have more communication with people I had not had that kind of connection with up to that point. I even recruited my husband Joel to facebook. (And because we run in clergy and teacher circles-- it seems like a lot of clergy and teachers are on Facebook!)
When I went into labor, it was pretty incredible to be sitting in the labor and delivery room updating our facebook status to let our friends know what was happening. We could ask for prayers and let a whole bunch of folks know without making a ton of phone calls. We even were able to post pictures of Kat quick-like so that our friends near and far could see our beautiful daughter not long after her birth.
I've joked with some friends and family that Kat was born via Facebook. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated and continue to appreciate that connection with friends. While I may not see them or talk with them, there is an intimate sense of connection I've enjoyed that's hard to explain. It is amazing to me how the internet can connect people in powerful ways. While it might not be the same thing as sitting across the table from someone in a PTA meeting or a Bible Study, likely drinking bad coffee, applications like Facebook have become a real "third place" for people like me.

Psalm 23 and Pink Floyd

2008-08-15T19:37:00.000-07:00

Between feedings I picked up the latest issue of Christian Century (August 26, 2008) and saw something in the "Century Marks" that caught my attention. There towards the bottom of the page was a note about a question asked by Professor Peter Hawkins of Boston University (my alma mater for seminary). He asked his Intro class on the Bible if they had heard the 23rd Psalm. Apparently, after he recited it, people recognized parts of it-- but did not know that it was originally in the Bible. Students thought it was from a Pink Floyd song, from rapper Coolio's song, "Gangsta's Paradise," or Pulp Fiction (but that was wrong-- that was actually a quote from the cheerful book of Ezekiel). According to Professor Hawkins, "My students knew their movies and their lyrics but not the biblical source of 'the valley of the shadow of death.'"
It strikes me funny that these kind of notes show up in stuff like Christian Century. Why, you ask? Folks within the Church seem to expect that young people will at least know what we would consider to be basic things about the Bible and faith. What this note helps to point out is that we cannot assume people know what we consider to be basic things of faith. That in fact it is modern artists-- movie makers, rappers, rock stars, authors-- who are teaching young people aspects of spirituality. Some of the best communicators of faith in the last generation have been people outside of the Church. (That's not new, but it seems to be new every time I read something like I did in Christian Century!).
It begs us folk on the inside to do a few things-- a gut check about what we assume people ought to know, and also, to realize that art is an important and under-utilized resource/gift. Perhaps it is another nudge to embrace art-- in all of its diversity and creativity!

She's here!

2008-07-30T11:33:00.000-07:00

Katherine "Kat" Janet Gara born 7/21/08....8 lbs 6 oz, 19.5 inches....all doing well!

Thanks for your prayers!

Tinkering...

2008-07-16T14:50:00.000-07:00

While I await the arrival of "the child," I've been reading Robert Wuthnow's book, After the Baby Boomers. (Thanks Lovett, for the suggestion.) The book is about what Wuthnow refers to as "younger adults," a group he defines as persons from 18-45 years of age. (nice large group!) As a sociologist, Wuthnow looks at a variety of issues that he thinks are helpful to understanding this group of people in US America-- and how it affects this generation's practice of religion/spirituality.
In the beginning of the book, Wuthnow introduces a variety of topics he believes makes a difference to younger adults and how they live their lives and see the world. The one that caught my attention is something Wuthnow calls, "tinkering." He describes the younger generations as a group of tinkerers....
Wuthnow says, "a tinkerer puts together life from whatever skills, ideas, and resources that are readily at hand. In a culture like ours, higher education and professional training are valued tinkering may have negative connotations. But it should not. Tinkerers are the most resourceful people in any era. If specialized skills are required, they have them. When they need help from experts, they seek it. But they do not rely on only one way of doing things. Their approach to life is practical. They get things done, and usualy this happens by improvising, by piecing together an idea from here, a skill from there, and a contact from somewhere else." (pp. 13-14)
Tinkerers are able to live without having all the answers, can deal with uncertainty, and rely on resources outside themselves to solve problems. It also means that tinkerers are not going to make a sure and fast decision about things...they are going to talk about it, explore other options, see if they can pull a MacGiver kind of move and using a piece of gum and a fast food receipt, make something useful.
Tinkerers and spirituality, then, translate into a generation of seekers-- who will look to having conversation with others, creating new kinds of social networks, and being okay with not having everything right. Church communities, then, with too much structure, not enough room for creativity and expression, places where connection and relationships are not central-- will not be attractive to tinkerers. Tinkerers need spiritual places to be open and welcoming to a new and different way of approaching faith-- one that takes time and care.
What's clear to me is that the kind of church a tinkerer would be attracted to seems a lot like the kind of vision Jesus had for the kingdom of God!

Exciting Announcement (not about a baby yet!)

2008-07-12T10:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks to my friend JT (who is in Boston with his daughter at the Boston University Orientation!), I received word that Mary Elizabeth Moore has been named as the new Dean of the School of Theology (my alma mater!). You can read about the appointment here.
Mary Elizabeth is a creative and kind soul-- I'm excited to see where she takes the school. She is also an ordained Deacon in the UMC (I think the first Deacon in the new orders era to be named to this kind of post!)I'm also excited to see STH appoint the first woman to the post!
Congratulations to Mary Elizabeth!

Just about to begin leave...

2008-07-05T12:10:00.000-07:00

Well, it is the beginning of July...and I am about to begin Maternity leave of Monday. My office computer is still down but might be saved by a computer engineer in the congregation who thinks he can save the data files. A miracle that would be, for sure!
Everything is pretty well set, and I've had to go into that all important "trust the process" mode. (No, not a clue that I'm into process theology....rather, a phrase that Joel's mom, who was also a pastor before she passed away a few years back, used to use all the time....)
As Joel and I are in the "hurry up and wait" mode, I have mixed feelings about going on leave. I know I need to do it, but really enjoy the work I'm doing at the church.
I hope you'll hold us in your prayers as we await this exciting and scary new chapter of life! I'll do my best to keep you updated!

Crashed.

2008-06-27T17:19:00.001-07:00

My office computer, less than a year old crashed yesterday, taking EVERYTHING with it. Right before maternity leave. Really. Sigh.

31 and Nominated.

2008-06-19T11:50:00.000-07:00

I'm listening to the Annual Conference Sessions out in the heat of Redlands. I knew it was likely to happen last night and it did. Molly, 31, was nominated for endorsement as Bishop. If she went forward she would be eligible to serve as Bishop for 40 years. YIKES! The Spirit of the Conference is wonderful-- they want to encourage and empower young people. Just what I've been working and praying for....
Molly withdrew her name not long after hearing the names read. I'm still proud of her and proud of the Spirit of the community for acknowledging her gifts and leadership qualities.
And, she can't blame me for this...I'm not there! :)

Church and gas prices

2008-06-17T11:44:00.000-07:00

Today and tomorrow United Methodists from all over my Annual Conference region will be driving out to Redlands, CA, for the Annual Conference Sessions meeting. That's a lot of money spent on gas alone! While me and my hybrid (still covered in bird poo, though the bird has not been back for about a week now) sit comfortably in my office much closer to the beach than Redlands (I'd die from the heat out there-- it is expected to be over a 100 today!), I can't help but think about gas prices, the environment, the economy and the future...
There was an interesting article in the LA TIMES today about gas prices and how it is impacting faith communities throughout the land. It talks about how preachers are finally engaging communities about gas prices now that they've reached and passed $4 a gallon. The article does seem to imply that one of the main reasons clergy are finally addressing the issue is that collections are down, as is church attendance. People don't want to do an "extra" driving and it appears that for some, that means forgoing worship. Other pastors in the article make a clear commitment to continuing transportation ministries even if it means depleting their bank accounts to do so.
Yesterday, Honda unveiled its Hydrogen powered Civic. There are promises from automakers to have electric cars on the market again in 2010.
In the middle of watching the Angels play the Mets last night, a commercial ran multiple times asking viewers if they had mutual funds...and letting those who own mutual funds know that this meant they probably owned a piece of the fuel/energy business in this country. In other words, if you are lucky enough to have some investments, you are benefiting from the gas prices. What?!?
We're in a lick of trouble right now. I think it is important as clergy to help lead conversations about stewardship of all kinds. We have to be realistic about what people can and cannot do or afford to do. And it may be the perfect time to encourage folks to think outside the box about a lot of things we take for granted.
What do you think?

Not going to miss it...

2008-06-10T12:56:00.000-07:00

Next week is the Annual Conference Sessions for my Annual Conference-- the once a year meeting of clergy and designated laity to do the work of the Annual Conference. It is held in Redlands, CA on the campus of the University of Redlands. The campus is beautiful and accommodates the needs of the conference pretty well. But Redlands is smoggy and hotter than .... hell. Usually by the end of Annual Conference my sinuses are a mess (and I have a sinus migraine for about a week because of the smog) and the heat practically melts away any ounce if "nice" left in my soul. The schedule is long and challenging even for the healthiest of people. I've been a part of the Annual Conference Sessions planning team and the agenda chair. I've been on the floor pushing legislation and getting folks elected. And, I have had plenty of time to catch up with people I don't get to see very often.
This year I've decided not to go out there at all. The primary reason: we're in week 36 next week. It's a matter of time. While things are going well, I don't want to be out in the stress/smog/heat two hours away from my doctor and husband and hospital. The downside: I miss spending time with my friends for a few days-- time that we usually expect to spend together. I'll miss banana pancakes in the apartment with Molly, Karen, Amy, Joel and Krista. (Krista is in Germany now, so she's already done AC in German...I doubt she'll miss ours!) I'll miss seeing Camille get commissioned this year. I'll miss spending time with Nicole drinking Americanos talking about..well, everything. I'll miss catching up with people like Sandie who were an important part of my spiritual formation. I'll miss giving Gary grief and visiting the Conference staff in their air conditioned offices! I'll miss seeing Caroline and the youth who are in leadership I've grown to love and respect ...you get the idea....Conference is about relationships above everything else. But even as deep and wonderful as these relationships are, (after all, many of these people are like family!) I'm still quite fine with missing out this year.
It's been tough for people to get that I'll be absent this year. No matter how many ways and times I tell them, there is still scheming going on about how to get me there. My hope is that they care enough about me to just let me be!
I am excited to be around for something I've not been able to witness before...6th grade promotion at Joel's school! My husband always finishes the school year with me about 100 miles away. I plan to go and celebrate with him and his students this year.... as the commute is only a couple of miles...and support him. Not a bad trade off, I think....
For those who have gone or are preparing for Conference, blessings be with you!

Crazy Bird!

2008-06-05T12:45:00.000-07:00

I interrupt my usual banter about the Church to share with you about this little crazy bird. It's a beautiful little bird....you can see it has some different colored brown markings on the backside....and a gorgeous orange belly.
A week ago I was sitting in my office with my car (a Honda Civic Hybrid...ah, what a lovely car indeed) sitting in its usual parking spot right outside my back door. I had my door open and the screen locked....providing me with some nice cool air (a true blessing these days with the added heater I have!). All of the sudden I heard something that sounded like a woodpecker--only it did not sound like it was hitting wood. And, what would a woodpecker be doing in Torrance-- part of the urban Los Angeles landscape? Thinking it could be someone working on the condos behind the church, I took the opportunity to stand up and stretch and take a look outside. Rather than finding a woodpecker or someone working next door, I found this little bird, tapping at the front passenger side window of my car! The minute I opened the door, the bird flew over to the top of the fence you see behind my car....
Needless to say, this went on for about an hour-- I'd hear the noise, get up from my desk, go out and find the bird on either the passenger side or the driver side of my car going nuts!
I had no idea how to deal with it. I tried to give it a little water, but nothing seemed to stop it. And then, as suddenly as it came, it left.
Of course trying to explain it to people left them perplexed and ready to share various conspiracy theories.
The bird came back Sunday as I was parking my car. (and left its calling card all over my freshly washed passenger side!) And Monday, it was back. Tuesday, again. Yesterday. And, today. I've tried eliminating the "mirror effect," to no avail. All I know is that this little bird comes, does this crazy little routine to my car, and disappears.
So, is this a sign? Many seem to think it is!

Dreaded words...

2008-05-30T11:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks to David, I was directed to reading this provocative article on the young clergywomen's blogsite, Fidelia's Sisters. Susan Olsen writes about those dreaded words.... sexual harassment. There's lots of stuff that strikes me in this article. She talks about how we've done a good job in the Church in the last decade teaching clergy about how to proper boundaries and understandings of how to relate to lay people so that we're not sexually harassing others. The more interesting thing to me is the good observation she makes about how the Church has not done a good job teaching congregants about how what sexual harrassment is towards their clergy. And as her statistics share, many young clergywomen have experienced some form of sexual harassment (as they understand it), in their ministry context. Everything from comments about dress and appearance to someone talking about being raped by the head of the church's personnel committee are mentioned as experiences young clergy have had to deal with. And, according to her research, older clergywomen experience less harassment-- whether new to ministry or have been at it awhile. Harassment does not seem to play a huge role in the reasons clergywomen leave ministry....
I know I've experienced my share of sexual harassment in my ten years in ministry. In my last appointment I experienced it both from heterosexual people and from gay men in my congregation--which was a wierd and wild thing to behold. In that same appointment I dealt with lay person to lay person sexual harassment-- something that fractured the congregation due to the "he said, she said," nature of the situation...and these were older people involved in it!
All of which is to say-- it is important for the Church to think about ways to talk with congregations about how to treat one another and their pastor. It is a fine and hard line to walk, I realize. Persons often don't think about the comments they make or the ways their interactions with clergy can be perceived. And while it is important for us clergy folk to take a step back and think about where the comments are coming from, sometimes that can be really hard. (Especially if you are pregnant and hormonal! Can I get an Amen?!?)
I hope you will read the article and let me know your thoughts...

A better word?

2008-05-17T09:34:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you, but I've needed time to recover from General Conference and I was not even there! Watching the live stream throughout the event was enough to wear me out. I can understand why it takes as much as 10-12 hours of sleep a day for at least a week to recover. Really, why doesn't General Conference have true Sabbath time? Do they really want people to be crabby when they are earnestly trying to practice holy conferencing?
My father-in-law was one of the delegates from my Annual Conference to General Conference. At a meeting last week he handed us all a packet of goodies-- a FEW of the MANY things discussed over the 10 days. Of course I wanted to know what was decided upon in regards to things like the ordination process. Dan lobbed up a juicy one to me-- the General Conference changed the word for someone commissioned, not fully ordained from "probationary," (like you're in jail) to "provisional," (clearly defined as you're temporary, don't get too comfortable). At first I was just glad to see "probationary" gone-- I hoped to never be on probation in my life or in my work-- so why did the Church decide to use that to describe folks who are in transition and learning? Provisional, while a shiny-happy term, is what in retail the seasonal hires were referred to-- don't expect to see them past New Years kind of deal.
So while I am thankful for the kinder, gentler term, I'm not sure it effectively responded to a major need to re-think and re-imagine our language, process and the like. What do you think?

Completion of Lewis Fellows

2008-04-25T13:32:00.000-07:00

I've been off-line for a bit due to two things: I was a part of a leadership team for a retreat for Middle Schoolers from all over the Annual Conference called, "Spirit Quest," and then I went coast-to-coast for my final time in Baltimore with the Lewis Fellows Program.

One of the highlights was heading to DC to spend time at Wesley Seminary (two colleagues, Bryant and Nathan are seated in the picture at Lovett Weems desk...so a messy desk is a sign of good leadership!), a quick time at the National Cathedral and then up to Baltimore with a group of guys to see an Orioles game.

A sign of a good program is one that leaves you wanting more...that certainly was the case! The Lewis Fellows Program got me reading, thinking and talking about leadership in ways I had not yet engaged. It gave me some good practical wisdom, some confidence and hope. All things I think a program aimed at young clergy would want to do!

One thing I'd recommend to pastors regardless of age or denomination is the new tool the Lewis Center is developing to help pastors assess their leadership called the LPLI. You can learn more about it here.

Like many United Methodists, I'm focused on General Conference and holding our delegation, led by Molly in prayer. It's early on, and so seems like folks are getting along...but once the 7 AM to 11 PM schedule starts wearing on the delegates a bit....that's when prayer will be that much more important.

Continuing the Conversation...

2008-04-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

So, I think talking about the idea of guaranteed appointments has struck a nerve. There has been some interesting comments about it left below. Andy B. also wrote about it and a couple of other issues. What I'm aware of is that there are symptoms of underlying problems-- mostly related in our case to leadership and discerning God's will. There is language in the Discipline to deal with ineffective clergy. There is an over-arching desire by most in the church to work to make sure appointments are good matches for clergy and laity alike (we all want what's going to allow us to make disciples for the transformation of the world). And yet, it is appointment season, and cabinets are working with folks they don't know what to do with-- and will place them with Jesus-loving folks who want leadership to help them grow.
And this does not even address the justice issues raised....
Do we have the leadership to do the tough work and figure this out?

Guaranteed Appointments....good or bad?

2008-04-01T12:55:00.001-07:00

Thanks to David for the link to this article.
It talks about some of the issues in the UMC around the guaranteed appointment. Since we're under the appointment of our Bishop, once we get ordained, we have what amounts to lifetime tenure. There will always be a job for us, no matter how competent or incompetent we are.
Reading the article, it is clear that this system was originally set up back in the 1950s to help clergywomen get jobs. (There were plenty who would not accept a woman in their pulpit...imagine how they'd feel about a pregnant woman in their pulpit!) I love that the General Conference was able to find a way to make this a justice and equality issue, a way to back up their decision to ordain women.
It is pretty clear today, though, that the guaranteed appointment might be more of a stumbling block to us than a help. Sure, it is still important to help some in our connection-- specifically persons of color and some women-- but for others it almost endorses the notion it does not matter whether one works to grow in competency, faith and leadership--the Church has to provide me with a job.
Of course, I have to quip that considering how little the Church pays and how much they expect, guaranteeing us employment is sort of a perk. What do you think about guaranteed appointments? Do they help us or hurt us?

Funny Thing Heard in Church Yesterday....

2008-03-31T09:20:00.000-07:00

As I was shaking hands with folks following the 9 AM service, a wonderful couple from my church introduced me to the guests that were with them from a friend's church. The guy said, "We wanted to come and see what a pregnant pastor looked like." I laughed and encouraged them to share what they've witnessed, much like the 2 Marys did on Easter morning. People are funny.

Guess I should get a banner made for the front of the church stating, "Now Showing."

New book and link to check out!

2008-03-30T13:15:00.000-07:00

I've been waiting a long time, as others I know have, for the new book by Lovett Weems and Ann Michel on the crisis of young clergy in the UMC. Thanks to Andrew, I've got a link to an interesting interview with Lovett about the new book. I've been fortunate over the last few years to be in conversation with Lovett and Ann about this issue...one that I have a lot of interest and passion for. It is a crisis that is indicative of greater issues in my denomination. (Though mine is not only one facing the crisis!) Check it out!

Special Jesus Suit for Easter?

2008-03-21T13:15:00.000-07:00

Last night as we prepared for our Maundy Thursday service, I got into an interesting conversation with the wife of the lead musician. She's great-- always has great questions and wants to know more about the mainline church... having grown up in an evangelical church in the South. Her latest job has been working to create costumes for the musical, Wicked. And so, she's gotten a good taste of working in the "industry" as we call it here in Southern California.... that also means she's been exposed to a variety of interesting folks!

So she tells me that one of her co-workers just completed a project her priest asked her to do for Easter-- create "clothes" for Jesus on the cross. Her priest wanted Jesus to have on his "Sunday best" for Super Bowl of All Sundays! I inquired a bit as to exactly what this "Jesus Suit" might look like-- a white suit with a pink tie? I was genuinely interested in understanding what this was all about... apparently, the "Jesus suit" is more of a toga/smock than real clothing. The priest asked that it have all the liturgical colors in it-- which of course prompted a quick wit joke about Jesus and Joseph and their technicolor dream coats... the thing that got me was that this was all for real!

So, on this solemn day, I wonder aloud... what would Jesus wear to Easter Sunday in your church, should you have the option to play dress-up? I just bet someone will say a bunny suit!

Blessings to all during this important, holy time!

A Shorter Process?

2008-03-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

One of the things I've been vocal about in terms of the lack of young clergy has to do with the arduous ordination process the United Methodist Church has set up. I remember after the 1996 General Conference meeting with a member from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry who came to explain the new process to us. (I was under the 1992 Book of Discipline so it did not apply to me!) The general sense after he shared the changes with us was that it would take about 10-12 years to complete the process--that's a LONG TIME. On top of that, the General Church and local Annual Conferences continue to add more requirements to the process stating, "if the candidates do X, they'll be better prepared."
While those folks approach these extra hoops with good intentions, let's be honest: what's expected of pastors is overwhelming at best, and impossible at worst. We're expected to be experts of all things (and Lord knows I try!). So here's my hope: that you will take a minute, check out this LINK, and considering signing the petition attached. The recommendation right now to General Conference is that we don't make any changes to the process this year....we wait four years. I hate to break it them, but really don't have any time to waste. We NEED to make changes if we want to have any chance of encouraging young people to consider entering the process. Thanks to the Texas Annual Conference folks for pushing this point and trying to get General Conference to do something about this!

For Your Prayers...

2008-02-28T11:18:00.000-08:00

My dear friend Molly and husband Matt have been in my thoughts and prayers a lot of late. Matt received word a little while back that he would be re-deployed to Iraq. That re-deployment begins this week.
It's times like these when I feel helpless...there's nothing I can do to stop him from going over there...the government has sent him the papers...he's on his way. Oh, how I wish I could pick up the Bat phone and call in help...but instead, will call upon those who pray to join me...
I ask for your prayers for Matt, and all who serve...and prayers for Molly, and all who love those who serve... And pray that come November, our nation can make a choice that will help us resolve this issue of war...Godspeed, Matt. Thanks.

Label-less

2008-02-26T11:54:00.001-08:00

Last night I met with an amazing young couple who are in the process of becoming married. I had a great time talking with them-- getting to know about their backgrounds, how they met, etc. But more importantly, I was intrigued by the discussion we had about Church in Southern California. One grew up United Methodist, the other, Roman Catholic. Both place great value in finding a church community that they both feel comfortable in, and sense they can grow spiritually. My church is the closest thing they've found in their year-long search.
Both hail from other parts of the country where Church is more a part of life. One said, "We're used to being in larger churches. Every church, except the Catholic Church out here is small." "And old," the other commented.
It became clear the more we talked that the Church denominational label or brand was not that important to them. As the groom said, "We're all Christians. It's about sensing God and growing." They are in their twenties and a part of growing movement of folks in the U.S. according to an LA TIMES article, based on a Pew Study, that says people really don't care that much about denominational labels anymore. In fact, those labels don't seem to help much at all.
I know there are plenty of people in the UMC who'd like to think that our brand label is enticing to people. I'm sure it is to some, but to newer folks, not so much.
So it goes back to a question of ecclesiology-- are we helping ourselves or hurting ourselves when we focus so much on the denomination, the Annual Conference over the local church and the small groups happening therein?
As we think about the future of the Church, this is an important thing for us to wrestle with-- especially for Conference and denominational leaders who keep hammering us about pushing our label...maybe in this one case, a "designer label" really isn't that sexy....
What do you think?

Tagged

2008-02-22T13:05:00.000-08:00

So my buddy Andy B. tagged me with this meme.

Here are the rules:

1 - Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more. (Just grab one, no cheating!)
2 - Find Page 123.
3 - Find the first 5 sentences.
4 - Post the next 3 sentences.
5 - Tag 5 people, who will post theirs in the comment section.

From "The New Chrstians" by Tony Jones:
"The hand gropes for an invisible lever; it waves slightly, and the fingers twitch. The hand is connected--by an arm that needs to be propped up by the other arm after fifteen minutes-- to a body that leans forward in its chair. Atop that body is a Brain full of Bible trivia and minutiae."

Though it does not ask for it...I want to share the next few sentences to help contextualize this:
"That Brain is most often connected to a mouth,, and the mouth longs to speak.
When I point to the hand, the Brain unlooses the tongue. 'Earlier you referred to a woman pastor that you work with. Isn't the Bible clear that women are not meant to be pastors?'"

I tag Molly, David, Karen, Clergyfreak, and anyone else who wants to play!

Where to Begin?

2008-02-22T12:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I got to be a part of an interesting conversation about leadership and leadership training for folks in my annual conference. Without going into a lot of detail, the group gathered was there to help our new director of leadership begin to think about ways to offer training, support, and networking for pastors and laity in our area.
As I sat on a small group team talking about possible continuing education offerings, a couple of things struck me. One was a comment about how there are a large group of pastors who don't know where to look to get the kind of training they need to grow in their leadership. Now, I'm someone who loves to learn and am very committed to continually finding ways to grow and learn. So I know that there are plenty of ways to look for these kinds of opportunities. All day I was dumbfounded by that statement. Really, it just feels like a cop-out or a definite sign that these folks are not in ministry because they want to give their all. (Our system has not held us accountable, so it has perpetuated this behavior and attitude.) So one of the things we were taxed to do is to think about what sort of offerings we would need to have for those folks...
And then there is another level-- trying to find ways to offer courses, seminars, and other learning experiences for people who are stuck in the past and scared of the present. How can we offer things that will encourage pastors and laity to look in the world beyond the building and want to engage the people on our doorstep?
What sorts of courses do you think would be helpful? What suggestions would you make?

The Next Big Thing....

2008-02-13T17:39:00.000-08:00

I've got a smartphone and this won't work with mine.....Certain to be the envy of other mainline Christians....Thanks to RevGals, all my United Methodist friends can be super-cool and download this.

Celebrity...

2008-02-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

This topic has come up on a variety of occasions lately. A youth director from another church in the area was telling me that she polled her youth about what they want to be when they grow up. The kids overwhelmingly said, "Celebrities." She pushed them-- actors, pro athletes, politicians? No, celebrities like Paris Hilton and Nicole Richey. They want to be celebrities for the sake of being a celebrity.
And then I was talking to a friend who shared with me that she had a conversation with a pastor who informed her his way of growing his new church was to turn himself into a celebrity pastor. (How does one do that, I muse?) I wondered aloud if there was something you could get at the neighborhood Christian bookstore that, when taken twice daily with a meal, would turn you into a celebrity pastor.
And then in Kansas City, I had the chance to spend time with a couple of celebrity pastors and be at the church of another. For all the hype they receive, the ones we met were incredibly down-to-earth. And yet, at the same time, driven. I was thankful the celebrity status had not gone to their heads.
But it made me think...
There are some pastors out there who think the only way they are ever going to be validated is to become a celebrity pastor. There are some who can only look to celebrity pastors for inspiration. There are some who resent celebrity pastors because they do seem to get treated a little differently than the rest (for UMs, I'll talk specifically about this soon when I address itinerancy...).
What's become apparent to me is that our society has made it bad to be yourself. And that's precisely what I experienced of these celebrity pastors-- they were authentically themselves. It made me sad to think that folks might be chasing something they already have-- a createdness that could in fact be the difference they need as a spiritual leader.
While cliche, it is true in my book....celebrity is overrated....

Back from the Midwest....

2008-02-08T15:15:00.001-08:00

Sorry it has taken me so long to share about my quick, exciting trip to Kansas City last week. I came down with a terrible cold. (And, since I'm the giving kind, promptly shared the cold with my husband!) So we're both recovering slowly from it...
Lovett set up a great, busy itinerary for us. We had the chance to visit a diverse group of churches in the greater Kansas City area and learned a lot about each community of faith. We began, after having lunch at a prominent BBQ joint in the city, at St. James UMC. St. James is a vibrant congregation in the inner city of Kansas City pastored by Emmanuel Cleaver, who is also a congressman. We met with staff and the District Superintendent and learned about how they lead a church while their pastor works half time on Capitol Hill.
We were then off to meet with Tim Keel. Tim started a church called Jacob's Well. I felt at home in conversation with Tim and in this church. It is an emergent style church, but what felt comfortable to me was their desire to live the way of Jesus as a rule of life-- it is the central core of everything they do. And you can tell. One of my colleagues said later, "Man, Tim kind of scared me, he was a lot like Jesus." There's a guy embodying his faith and living it out in community. We ended the day enjoying a meal with the homeless and learning about Revolution, a church intentional about living out the gospel in the urban context. The leadership really inspired many of the fellows for their conviction to care for the poor and neglected.

The next day we spent at Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Church of the Resurrection in United Methodist circles is known as the "church that could." It is at 15,000+ members and talking about building the third phase of their facility to accommodate more folks in worship. They are clear about who they are and what they are about-- and everything about it (and it is a BIG facility) reflects beautifully and efficiently their mission, vision and values. The staff, especially the young adult staff, were so gracious to us and spent a lot of time sharing what they could. (Andrew, if you read this, please thank the others!)

And, our time with Adam Hamilton, lead pastor of the Church of the Resurrection, was helpful. Adam is in the picture with us fellows to the right (thanks to Ann Michel!). Ann and Lovett are also in the picture with us. (Adam is seated in the center).
Our final day we spent meeting with faculty at St. Paul School of Theology and for most, heading home. I got to enjoy a special treat since I had an eight hour wait to get to my plane (which was late!). I spent time with fellow blogger and all-around good guy Andy Bryan. Andy is a pastor in North Kansas City. We met at an event a few years back in Washington, D.C., when they were schooling us young ones on how the General Board of Church and Society works.
In Andy I find a kindred spirit in ministry, so getting to see his church and spend time enjoying lunch and conversation was a gift. Here's a shot of Andy and me. Thanks again, Andy for the hospitality!
I'll blog about some specific things that came up over the week once I've recovered a bit more....what I will say is, the people are super nice, there's a wonderful evangelical drive among the people of Kansas City I appreciate and learned from, and no matter what-- 10 degrees is TEN degrees!!! I was super glad to come back to SoCal and 54!!!

Kansas City Here I Come!

2008-01-25T12:10:00.000-08:00

I am preparing to travel to Kansas City next week for my next Lewis Fellows Meeting. While Kansas City in the middle of winter is not an ideal place for a California girl to venture, I am very excited about the agenda planned for us while there. We will have the chance to visit Church of the Resurrection, a thriving United Methodist Church there, and dialogue with the large church's staff. We're reading Rev. Adam Hamilton's book in preparation for our visit there. I am also excited to visit with Tim Keel and Jacob's Well. I've been reading his book, Intuitive Leadership, and find it to be a book that resonates with me-- it speaks my language. Keel is not afraid to speak the truth and talk about the disconnect he feels between the modern church and the emerging church-- and how, if we are able to let go of the mechanisms and systems that are so entrenched and have been born out of the modern way of doing things, we will find the heart of what we need to reach those who speak a new language-- a post-modern language.
It will be good to see models of church, both successful mainline and emerging. And perhaps even have a chance to see Andy B. while I am there! I invite your prayers for my safe journey...as this reading will clue you in on why I am a bit more anxious than usual!

Me and Marcia Brady

2008-01-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

This past Tuesday, my friend Nicole and I were asked to address a group of people at the local seminary about the Emerging Church Movement. We both assessed the room and immediately felt as if the oxygen was being sucked out of it. Lots of men in suits and ties, looking rather formal (translate: stuffy). I was clearly the youngest person in the room (there were a few other young pastor-types, but they seemed to be playing along with the dress code, if you know what I mean!).
We were told a little about who it was we would be addressing. But for someone who relies so much on understanding and speaking from context, I felt like I was speaking Japanese to a group of Norwegian scholars. Tough crowd, to say the least.
Nicole rocked! She talked passionately and articulately about theology and the Emerging Church, making good connections to the local church and to our Methodist roots. (She's a tough act to follow!) I was tasked with talking about worship, a subject I love to talk about. About a third of the way through, I realized that the humor I wrote into my part of the presentation was completely lost on almost everyone but Nicole. I was speaking from the language, culture, and world view that is comfortable to me, but foreign to most of the church. Because the Church is full of nice people, they listened to the presentation, but its purpose seemed lost on me and those gathered. It was like, "Okay, here's some information about what others are doing, and what these two are engaged in, isn't that nice!" It was not like the seminary was going to make a commitment to engage the Emergent conversation-- they don't have an angry mob demanding it. It's not like these folks in their suits are going to go out and learn more and find ways to lead their churches to change toward reaching the folks this movement is reaching. (Some may try, and they mean well). Mostly it just made me feel like Marcia Brady speaking in front a crowd for the first time-- no way would try and imagine those people in their underwear, but it was an awkward experience nonetheless.
It makes me appreciate Molly's most recent entry about death that much more. We seem to be so scared of things that are outside of our comfort zone, it's much easier for us to either be in denial, or act like an ostrich and bury our heads in the sand. I want to, as Molly suggests, "live faithfully, fearlessly, and freely." I admit it is hard to do in an institution that moves at the pace we do.
I know that I've got to keep doing what I'm doing-- and I thank God for a community like Hope where I am truly getting to lead from a place where authenticity, community, love, and following Jesus is what we're all about. They don't know that the greater church is endangered. Praise God for that.

A Scary Trend....

2008-01-04T15:14:00.001-08:00

So I have noticed lately that everywhere I go people seem to be practicing what I'd like to call, "Dude, you don't matter, so I don't see you." Unlike mindfulness, a practice where you are encouraged to experience the presence of things and people around you, this practice is a way for people to build even taller and stronger imaginary walls-- so strong in fact, that they act as if they'll stop cars from hitting them, or conversely if it is the car, it won't hit what it "doesn't" see.
Why do I bring this up?
About a month ago, I was pulling up to a corner to turn right off my street to head back to the church. A young man, with no head phones, cell phone or anything else to distract him, walked across the intersection without once glancing around him to see if there were cars, bikes, aliens vehicles that might keep him from successfully and safely crossing the street. He walked, eyes affixed straight forward, never seeming to take his eyes off the horizon. Luckily, I noticed him heading across the street as I pulled up and was able to break a bit more than I would have normally. I could not help but think, "Dude, even in a pedestrian city like Boston, you don't look, you die!" As I drove down the street the same direction he was walking, I looked over to see if he might notice me staring at him. Nothing. Blank. Not in a Zombie sort of way, for I'd get my brain out of there as fast as I could. It was pretty clear, in his world, I did not exist.
Another example happened today as Joel and I finished our shopping at Trader Joes. I went to return the shopping cart to its shopping cart home while Joel got into the Jeep. As I made my way back across the street, being mindful of vehicles, carts, crying children, the lack of promised downpour of rain, I noticed two cars speeding in the parking lot in front of the store at me! Again, I attempted eye contact with both drivers only to find them staring straight ahead at the horizon.
So what's up with this scary trend? I still exist even if they don't look at me....did they not learn this? Is it way for people to thumb their noses at strangers? Or are we just that scared that someone else might notice us or we might notice someone else and be forced to do something?
Oh, and go see the movie, "Juno," if you have not. The best movie I've seen in awhile!

Happy New Year!

2008-01-03T10:30:00.000-08:00

Hope your holidays were great....mine were, minus the super-cold that took hold after Christmas....still battling it, but with the help of medicine and rest hope to feel better soon....
I want to share with you a link to this post. It's written by my friend Krista who is serving as a missionary in Germany. She tackles something many pastors deal with in their ministry, personal time, and shares especially from her context. It is worth a read!

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-24T18:07:00.001-08:00

I'm just about to begin Christmas Eve services...and wish and pray for a blessed and wonderful Christmas for all!

Attract?

2007-12-16T08:40:00.000-08:00

I was looking at this blog and and what it says in response to this article. One of the main issues arising from this article is about a word-- attract. While not the best word for what we long to do when it comes to encouraging young people to explore a calling to ordained ministry, we are rather limited. My thought is-- rather than spending so much time talking about how we talk about the issue (a very Methodist thing to do--I realize those are fighting words!), why don't we figure out ways to create a "culture of call" in local churches and annual conferences? This of course would require us to engage young people and build relationships with them.

A Bishop's response to Lovett

2007-12-10T09:32:00.001-08:00

This is not my Bishop...though I believe she would be on the same page. Thanks Bishop Schnase for this thoughtful post.
Do you feel the "skew" toward older adults in congregations that Bishop Schnase talks about?

Caricatures

2007-12-06T10:53:00.000-08:00

There is a caricature artist that comes up every year to our Strength for the Journey retreat (for persons living with HIV/AIDS), who donates her time to sit and do caricatures of campers. She talks with them, laughs, and draws their picture. It is always fun to see what Claudia comes up with-- it is a close rendering of the person, but not exactly them-- somethings are exaggerated, other things understated...somethings are omitted. It's her perception and how she feels called to create the image. Each one she does is a gift to the person receiving it.
Caricatures in the Church, on the other hand, are not really a gift. They are in fact, a misrepresentation of the person or group they represent. This is how I perceive them working: people don't have the time to sit and listen, to learn about the people or the groups and so, based on quick bits and pieces of information they might have, or have heard second or third hand, an imaginary picture is created. So-and-so did a youth event once-- and so they are from then on "drawn" as a youth person. One group decided to do a longer term mission project dealing with homelessness, so now they are "drawn" as the group concerned about homelessness. Now you might not think this is a bad thing, and sometimes it is not. But my experience has shown that what this does is allow pictures of people and groups to solidify and become gospel truth. This does not allow room for growth, for changing course, for changing completely. As the Church works at revitalization and re-formation, we might want to consider putting down our pencils and erasers and make time to create a more realistic picture.

Post-Charge! Conference

2007-11-29T20:46:00.000-08:00

It's just about Advent...in Methodist circles this means CHARGE! conference time! Piles of paperwork and preparation required of us to show we're doing what we're supposed to be doing...and then a ritualized meeting with reports, written and oral, to give folks a chance to hear the state of the congregation. I've got to brag on my folks-- not only did they show up for the meeting, they did a great job articulating the vision and mission of the church, where we're struggling and succeeding, what are hopes are and how much fun we're having while following Christ!
I'm notorious for making faces (a-la Jim and Pam on the Office), so I had a blast last night making faces causing smirks from my leadership. I am good for bringing humor to the table! Now, we can turn to Advent...blessings as you do, too!

Read Ann's Article

2007-11-28T14:10:00.000-08:00

Ann Michel at the Center for Church Leadership has written this interesting article about the absence of young people in the Church. It is worth a read...in my mind because it states the things I've been saying for years! (And those closest to me will affirm that!) Check it out!

What would you want in a Bishop?

2007-11-20T13:30:00.000-08:00

That's one of the questions asked of us at the Conference Table meeting this past weekend. With Jurisdictional Conference less than a year away, the reality of episcopal musical chairs looms.
While Bishop Mary Ann made it clear to us that she'd like to spend her last four years "in purple" with us, the decision lies in the hands of a jurisdictional committee that will work behind closed doors with profiles and strong arms.
It was nice to be asked what I was looking for in a Bishop. In my day dream, the Bishop would be more like Hiro Nakamura on Heroes, about to bend the space-time continuum. But realistically, I want a Bishop who is willing to lead, even when it is not popular, someone willing to listen, longs for justice and wholeness, reaches out to young people, can inspire us to do the difficult work we do. It is asking a lot of anyone, and that makes me respect those called to that top office even more!
So, what would you want in a Bishop, if given a chance to respond?

Conference Table

2007-11-18T10:34:00.000-08:00

So I spent part of Friday and most of Saturday @ Claremont School of Theology with about 50 leaders and the Bishop. The "Table" was called together because of an action of the Annual Conference Session this past June. The action tasked the Conference Leadership Team (I'm am a part of that) and various leaders to sit together and come up with a plan to help steer "C-EFFIN-A" (every time it was said, I giggled, I admit it!), our conference committee on Finance, about how to spend our money according to the mission of the Annual Conference. The problem, we discovered, is multivalent. We don't speak a common language, we bring baggage, and as Gil Rendle said in an article we read for the event, the Annual Conference is better at managing than leading. We are good at keeping the status quo-- if things are running smoothly, hooray! It's part of our tradition, our identity.
You can imagine, then, that it was hard for us to break away from that and try to look at the Conference and its mission from a different angle, perspective. Our facilitator, John Fanestil, was tasked with the difficult job of trying to navigate us in the process. He did a fine job, all things considered-- he kept us to task, he reminded us of our objectives, and we ended early. Got to love that! I also very much appreciated the Bishop's participation-- she clearly pushed the group to do something bold with her. But she did not meddle in the process to change it to her words or understanding!
There were some things we were of one Spirit on: We want, in Lovett Weem's terms, to reach more people, younger people and more diverse people." You can read more about what he said to the Council of Bishops by clicking on the name link above. We also were of one mind about wanting to create new faith communities. The part that was most exciting for everyone in the room, I believe was that we want to do this, not to preserve the institution, rather to transform the world. If we create new faith communities, we want to do this to care for the poor and needy, to help people grow spiritually, to encourage people to fight for justice, to make the Kingdom of God real.
It took a loooong time to get to this point. Much discussion happened. We even heard words of warning from Pensions about the possible retirement wave and how that might (deeply) impact our budget. (Of course, I kept wondering how the few young pastors were going to be able to care for all these retirees considering the state of things....) Which leads to another important warning Pensions shared-- clergy are in pretty bad shape. They gave us graphs to illustrate the fact that Cal-Pac clergy are not well-- physically and mentally. That certainly impacts effectiveness!
While we have offered up a bold mission possibility for the people called Methodists in this area, the proof will be whether we are able to be take risks, disassemble the mechanism of entitlement and egalitarianism that says groups should receive what they expect and everyone should get some, and focus on doing what it is we feel most clearly called to do: the HARD WORK of interrupting a management system that wants to keep on doing...
It will be a shift, in Gil Rendle's terms, from asking the question, "Are we doing things right?" to "Are we doing the right things?"

Post Secret

2007-11-06T12:40:00.000-08:00

While in Baltimore I got to go on an adventure with three folks from the Lewis Fellows Program. One heard that there was a special exhibit at the American Visionary Art Museum. Joel visited there in July when he traveled back east with me, and knew it was a place I would love. The exhibit was Post Secret post cards that all had a religious theme to them. Though it was raining, we piled into Kumar's Honda and headed into the city. A couple of things made my traveling companions interesting: the three were men, and all of different denominations. I was the only United Methodist along for the ride! It was a gift to spend time with them, and to share this experience (and good Thai food!).
Post Secret, for those unfamiliar, is a project started by a guy in Maryland about thirty years ago. The idea was to give people a place to mail anonymous confessions. The catch: you were asked to "create" the postcard-- modify or make the card you mailed your confession in on. As we started looking at the exhibit there were moments of laughter, and moments of near-tears. I laughed at the postcard with the picture of an Old Testament Prophet (straight out of a Children's Illustrated Bible!) with the words, "I have erotic fantasies about the Old Testament Prophets" on it! Next to it was a post card from someone who "tried" to make a deal with God, only to feel like God did not keep up God's end of the bargain. It concluded by saying the person no longer believed in God.
What was powerful about the exhibit and the museum was the freedom of expression about religion, life, death, faith, you name it, it was in there. The docents taught us that the museum is a place for "outsider" art-- art created by persons who are not considered "classical or traditional" artists-- people with mental illness, disability, etc. The result, honest, engaging, beautiful, disturbing, funny art. I could not help but wish to experience this place again. It felt holy and irreverent. My kind of place. My kind of people! Thanks guys for a fun outing!

It's been one of those mornings...

2007-11-04T10:48:00.000-08:00

Everything crazy that could happen has...on All Saints Day...a charged day to begin with!
And so I share with you another funny from the ASBO Jesus site...hoping your day was full or spirit, remembrance, and love.

To Boldly Go...

2007-11-01T10:45:00.001-07:00

Thanks to The Ongoing Adventures of ASBO Jesus

Happy Boo Day!

2007-10-31T12:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday today to my husband Joel! Joel "catches up" with me-- we're both the same age now. I thank God for Joel--I am so lucky!
Wishing everyone a safe and fun Halloween!

Worth a look...

2007-10-30T18:44:00.000-07:00

My buddy Andy B. encouraged me to look at this website created by his Bishop on his book, the five practices. Bishop Snase also has a link to his blog there. I commend him for working to find ways to help United Methodist churches get with a program. (In this case, it is his program.) The site is easy to access and is in its infancy, so I expect more stuff on it as people work with his materials. Check it out!

Fire update

2007-10-29T14:25:00.000-07:00

As I returned home, incredibly jet-lagged, the first thing I wanted to see after my beloved husband was local coverage on the fires. Across the nation I got a different bend on them than what I get at home. Here are a couple of good blog entries I recommend from pastors I care deeply about who quickly responded in love to those at Qualcomm stadium.
Molly's entries are honest and helpful.
JT's entries express the on-scene experience he had trying to connect with beloved parishioners and pastor-colleagues. I talked to JT as he made his way down to the stadium. He called me to get the latest word on our friends, Andy and Camille in Malibu. I was grateful to report they were doing okay, except for some wind damage. I ask for your continued prayers for firefighters and families dealing with fire devastation in our region!

Returning home...

2007-10-26T15:06:00.000-07:00

I love technology!
I'm sitting in the airport in Baltimore awaiting my flight home to Los Angeles. While I an anxious to experience more fully what I've missed at home this week, I'm grateful for the experiences at the Lewis Fellows Meeting this week. We had the opportunity to talk with three amazing folks who stretched us and helped us talk more fully about leadership, the emerging church and hospitality. I truly loved being at Brian McLaren's church and sitting and talking with him in this group. It was great! Here's a picture of Brian in full conversation (sorry Lovett--it's not the one you expected!) And, if you are Lewis Fellow and this is your first introduction to blogs...welcome! There are tons better than mine! Jump in, the water is fine!

Body Image

2007-10-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

Andy wrote this for the most recent issue of Circuit Rider. Andy makes an interesting point that part of the reason we're having so much trouble sharing the Good News is that the message misses with many because of our body image. (The Church too often has a negative body image with all the sex scandals and financial troubles, not to mention the ways we go after those who are excluded from the church with clubs!)
It is fascinating to read this after I heard on the news this morning that a most teenage girls have negative body images. Perhaps they too need a theology of the cross...we are more than meets the eye! Check his article out and tell me what you think!

a really provocative site

2007-10-10T10:03:00.000-07:00

Click on the image to see it "up close."
David introduced this to me. I've appreciated its humor and thoughtfulness. You can see more like this here.
Be sure to check the whole site out!

joy!

2007-10-09T13:44:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I could be depressed after the Red Sox gave to the Angels this week. At least the Yankees lost! But mostly, I am feeling great joy for my friend Krista who will be commissioned as a missionary to Germany today. God has called her to this new and exciting adventure. This has been a very long process for Krista. I am thankful for the ways she's been able to remain faithful to her call, especially when the system moved slower than molasses. I appreciate her willingness to to be bold enough to say that being in a local church in this context is not where God wants her to serve. So now she's off to learn German, meet her new congregation, and experience the Holy Spirit's guidance in a whole new and different setting. Godspeed, KG!

Coffee Break

2007-10-05T14:20:00.000-07:00

On my Americano from Starbucks this morning (double-cupped to protect my fingers):
"There is a special place in hell for women who don't help other women."-- Madeleine K. Albright.
"On the battlefield of ideas, winning requires moving toward the sound of the guns."-- Newt Gingrich.
And to think I just needed caffeine!

Postseason joy!

2007-10-03T10:43:00.000-07:00

The MLB postseason begins today with my two favorite teams facing off-- the Angels and the Red Sox! I'm rooting for the Yankees to LOSE, and great baseball to be played!

Being Authentic

2007-10-02T14:12:00.000-07:00

I was having a conversation with a young adult who is an amazing leader and teacher in the Church. I wish I could bottle her energy and creativity. It's infectious! She has shown me time and again that young people have an amazing sense of the Gospel and how to share it in this new context and to emerging generations.
Yet, she works in a church where she has experienced sexism, ageism and routinely deals with leaders threatened by her gifts in ministry. They try and sabotage her. They do all they can to make her feel like she's half her age.
She reflected to me today that she can't quite connect the message of the church-- a desire to foster and nurture young leaders-- with the kind of behavior she's experienced therein.
Are we humble enough to say to her and to the rest of the world, we're a mess?
I know she'll grow through this experience. But I wish so much the Church could embrace and support her in ways that would allow her to be more effective. Sigh....

True of False?

2007-09-27T11:50:00.000-07:00

I've had discussions with folks recently about some stuff I've been reading. Does the mainline church attract young people so entrenched in the System that we can't lead the church outside the box? Are we "old" in our mindset? Or is the System so daunting it causes us to conform and become them?

Thank God for Title IX

2007-09-26T11:27:00.000-07:00

Our Women's National Soccer Team play a semifinal game tonight in China versus Brazil. If they win, they advance to the final game Sunday morning. Bet you probably had no clue about that. And that is really too bad. The Women's World Cup has provided some incredible athleticism, drama, and excitement. ESPN decided to carry the games live from China which mean they are on in the middle of the night, not convenient for most of us. But thanks to TIVO, my husband and I have been able to keep up with how Women's soccer continues to grow and thrive around the world.
Our Women's team is no longer as dominant as they used to be-- and that's a good thing. While I want to see them clean up in China, I also thank God for those who were courageous enough to vote for Title IX in 1972. Don't know what Title IX is? Here are the historic words that helped women in sports: "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance." This caused Universities and colleges, and eventually High schools to provide more opportunities for girls/women to play sports. I benefited from this when I was in High school as a softball player. We never had the school funds/ respect that the boys baseball program did, but that did not keep us from having fun and getting the chance to play a game we loved. There are still schools working hard to not have to comply with Title IX, and that is a shame. But it is in part due to our (the fans) inability to appreciate and support women in sports beyond tennis, gymnastics and figure skating. The WNBA has a fragile base of support...but they've managed to stick around thanks to the NBA.
The bottom line? There's still a prevalent bias that women can't bring game the way men do. Obviously they've not watched Abby Wambach, Birgit Prinz, Marta, Kristine Lilly....the list goes on..... They are the best team/players you've never known....
Title IX made a lot of things possible for women of my generation. I'm grateful for that. But I still see the justice issues that lie ahead for the next generation of young women. Good luck Team USA!

The Sacrament of Silence

2007-09-19T18:01:00.000-07:00

I'm without an administrative assistant this week...so my office has been silent.
It made remember this beautiful prayer by Howard Thurman.

In the silence, O God, You constantly surround our growing life.

We know You in the silence of the healing wound, the muteness of tenderness, the quiet growth within the sleeping child, the unspoken bonds uniting friend and friend, the still intensity of meditation, the soundless splendor of our changing seasons.

We know You in the sacred silence of our bodies: the secret movement of the hidden cells, the noiseless restoration of the tissues’ balance, the unheard ebb and flow within each artery and vein.

We know You in the magic silence of our minds: the mystery of memory, retaining afterimages of childhood, youth, and later years; the miracle of imagination, whereby we behold our visions of the city unattained; the marvel of attention, when the mind is focused to absorption on some needful task.

We know You in the hidden silence of our hearts: the never uttered depths of love between a man and a woman, a teacher and a student, a parent and a child; the art of being altogether for another; the faith restoring fact that someone else is utterly for you.

We know You in the fateful silences of faith. We know You in the sacrament of silence.

Drive-through church

2007-09-17T10:28:00.001-07:00

hat tip to Nicole!

So funny...

2007-09-09T10:32:00.002-07:00

Click on the image to read it...Candorville is very funny! Enjoy!

a different rhythm...

2007-09-05T17:48:00.000-07:00

One of the values of the academy for spiritual formation program was living into the rhythm of the community. I liked the rhythm of worship, fellowship (food), silence, holy conversation. Made me think more about the ordinary rhythm of life. I really like the rhythm of summer when Joel is out of school and life is a little bit less hectic.
Tomorrow the students arrive in his classroom. A new school year will begin. The summer rhythm gone. The school year rhythm begins.
He's a GREAT teacher--not only does he teach young ones, he teaches me stuff all the time. The world is so much better because he's a public school teacher. He needs to be in his element, where he thrives with students and colleagues alike. (I am proud of him, there's no doubt!)
And yet, I am grieving a bit...the freedom of having him around to go and play when I have a few minutes. The gift of seeing things disappear off the "to-do" in our lives. The model of sabbath that he teaches me by relaxing into the ordinary routine of summer.
When I was a kid, I loved going back to school. Weird, huh? But now I experience a taste of that grief that comes with the school bell tomorrow.
I pray for teachers and administrators who are called to the vocation of teaching. I pray for students and their families. I give thanks for the gift and freedom we enjoy that education comes with the freedoms of our citizenship. Sad but blessed... at least I don't have to do math.

You Asked for it...

2007-08-30T11:33:00.000-07:00

Orangeblossoms tagged me with this while I was away...so here goes:
Breakfast Items That Are Critical To My Happiness:
One word: COFFEE.
not just any coffee...rich, dark coffee preferably from a french press (or aero-press, an easier version of the french press) or espresso.
I do love breakfast foods--pancakes, eggs, cereal, etc. but critical is the word--the world would end if I did not have coffee every morning... no joke!
People I Would Most Like to Share a Table With On a Cruise:
Joel, of course...that's because I like to share a table with him as much as I can. :)
Then I'd have to say friends, as I never seem to get enough quality meal time with my friends!
Rudest Thing Said To Me This Week:
That's tough....I've been home with a cold most of the week, so I have not had that many rude comments...now the two weeks' prior proved plenty of rude comments...
Rudest Thing Done To Me This Week:
See above...
Jobs That Have Made Me Go, "Huh?"
Lately it's been police officers assigned to airport restrooms.
Jobs I Have Had That Concerned and/or Confused My Mother:
None. I've actually had jobs she's supported.
Favorite Curse Words That I Can Use In Front of Children Without Too Much Fear of Repercussion:
This is a tough one... I guess frick and snap sum it up. This of course means I censored myself.
Curse Word That I Use Most Frequently After Leaving the Children:
Those who know me, know I like variety. :)
Most Honest Bumper Sticker I've Ever Seen:
Snape was framed.
Changes I Would Make If Money Were No Object:
working to end poverty and care for those dealing with pandemics like AIDS would be to the top...caring for the environment would be next...giving my friend Nicole a whole chunk of money for her church...endowing my church with money to pay for apportionments for the next 100 years...
then I would travel, and do some fun stuff with Joel.
Favorite Piece of Technology:
I love technology-- so tie with lots of things: wifi laptop, tivo, ipod, ps3/psp, treo...the list could go on...

Orangeblossoms--this is not very clever--I blame the cold medicine.

I'm tagging Karen, Molly, and Nicole.

Made me laugh this morning

2007-08-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

As I return to the natural rhythm of life at home, mornings often bring the practice of drinking coffee and reading the paper. As I opened to read the funnies this morning, I glanced at my horoscope, purely for fun.... and this is what today's said: (from the LA Times)
"Not everybody wants to change the world. So when you declare your own personal revolution, don't be offended if all you get is foggy looks."
If only! Ha!

35

2007-08-25T09:49:00.001-07:00

me. today.
no longer statistically "young."
yet, young in terms of the Church.
still a voice for the young ones!

Strength for the Journey

2007-08-20T10:43:00.000-07:00

Last week I helped lead a spiritual retreat for adults living with HIV/AIDS called, Strength for the Journey. My husband is one of the original founders of this particular retreat, having started it with his mother fifteen years ago. It was my ninth retreat. By now, I know that if you set the table, they will be transformed by God's love and grace. And that certainly happened again this year. So many things caught my attention as I listened this week to the many stories I heard. A young man diagnosed in March, learning he is not alone. A man diagnosed in 1984 who is not only healthy, but a leader in the AIDS community. A camper who struggled all week with another camper asking forgiveness for misjudging the other. Support for those looking to move beyond isolation into community. Community to deal with addiction, identity, uncertainty. And the fact that our rule of life is founded in play and laughter! So many gifts, in the midst of 116 personalities colliding together all week...
I am grateful to the staff and the campers who helped me to see Christ in a new light this past week. It certainly will help me as I spend the week at the Academy for the last time...

Great Quotes....

2007-08-09T16:48:00.000-07:00

I was listening to an emergent podcast with Diana Butler Bass (one of our speakers as I mentioned, at the last Lewis Fellows meeting--here are a couple of things she said that caught my attention...
She ended her talk by quoting from Margaret Wheatley's book, Findng Our Way, (I admit I have not read it). Wheatley quoted an East German dissident who said, "When the forms of an old culture are dying, the new culture is created by a few people who are not afraid to be insecure." Diana Butler Bass followed this by saying, "If you feel insecure, that is the ground of hope in a time when a culture is dying." You can listen to this podcast by visiting the emergent village website.

Resurfacing....

2007-08-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from a nice vacation....sorry for the absence from the blogosphere! (But not really, it was amazing to have about three weeks with limited or no internet access!)
I had a great trip to Baltimore the middle of July to meet with the Lewis Fellows. We had some terrific seminar time, talking about spiritual formation with Canon Eugene Sutton from the National Cathedral and talking about the vital mainstream church with sociologist/church historian Diana Butler Bass. It is exciting to work with and get to know other young clergy from across the nation as well-- I am inspired and amazed by the incredible work they are doing in their ministry contexts.
Joel and I had two days between our Baltimore trip and heading to Kauai for rest and fun. It is a beautiful island-- and our trip gave me a chance to re-charge my batteries and play.
The work of a pastor is demanding and stressful-- at times it truly feels like we are living the "lambs being sent into a pack of wolves" as Jesus describes in Luke chapter 10. Other times, the rhythm and the beauty of working in the local church moves me and humbles me. Because our work is intense, I appreciate the sabbath time I get-- it pulls me out of focus for awhile, and allows me to connect with creation in a whole other way. Of course, the time I get with Joel to play and focus elsewhere is a true gift in and of itself.
Work hard and play hard. Surely that must be one of the Benedictine rules, right?
If it is not, when I start my own spiritual order, that'll definitely be one of the top rules!
On another front, I'm excited to share that the system did finally come through for my friend-- she will be in the missionary class heading for training in September! Hooray Krista!

Discontinuous Change

2007-07-12T20:15:00.000-07:00

I'm reading a book for my Lewis Fellows meeting next week called, The Missional Leader. The book is incredibly interesting. Beginning on page 6 the authors talk about my new favorite phrase that shows up everywhere in the book like it is the Pee-Wee Herman phrase of the day: discontinuous change. In order to understand the difference between continuous change and discontinuous change, the authors offer these definitions:
"Continuous change develops out of what has gone before and therefore can be expected, anticipated and managed." (p. 7)
"Discontinuous change is disruptive and unanticipated; it creates situations that challenge our assumptions." (p. 7)
No matter how wonderful my MDiv. program was, or how much training I continue to seek, there is nothing that can prepare us for discontinuous change, they suggest. So the book goes onto to say that our society, church, families, persons are experiencing different levels of discontinuous change all the time. No wonder it is so hard to take a cookie-cutter packaged program and make it work in every context!
But it also resonates with how different ministry is now than it was a generation ago. I have colleagues and friends who've been pastors for a long while tell me that they feel completely out of their league dealing with the changes they face now than ever before. So maybe rather than trying to program the church back into life, we are called to help surf the change and make sure people relate to one another in the process.
I'm in the second part of the book, what the authors call the putting their theory into practice... they are talking about the need to move back to an understanding of the Church as alternative community....nothing new, no doubt...but provocative nonetheless....
So, what do you think about the two kinds of change mentioned above?

Problem with the System

2007-07-10T15:31:00.000-07:00

I'm frustrated for a good friend of mine who applied last year to serve the UMC as a missionary and has really been through the ringer. She all but said she'd go serve anywhere (I think she'd even be a missionary on the moon, if that's what it took to get a placement!). She heard from the bureaucracy in June that they were going to interview her for one of two positions. She packed her stuff, waited for the phone call...nothing. An email this week proved what we feared-- the system is broken. While one person was under the impression she had a missionary post lined up, the person in charge of making those decisions had no intention of putting her there. So now, having trusted the system to help her do what she feels God calling her to do--she's disillusioned, uncertain about what she ought to do now.
This makes me sad on so many levels. First of all, she's a talented, ordained gal-- and yet, the Church has not offered her the kind of job that utilizes her abilities and connects with her passions for ministry. Second, when she tried to go through the system to get a job more to her calling, the system sat on its hands and has moved slower than molasses in January...hardly helpful when you are in a church, and need to know if you would be with the church another year or not. Finally, on a human-friendship level, it is difficult to see someone I care about get messed over by the system I want so much to trust. I want her to be happy, serving in a way that connects with her calling and passion, making a difference in Jesus' name. Guess I ask for too much....

Book: Off-Road Disciplines by Earl Creps

2007-07-03T14:26:00.000-07:00

About six months ago I received a free copy of Off-Road Disciplines by Earl Creps in the mail. The catch? Write about it on my blog when I completed it. It's taken me awhile to finish...but here's what I'd tell you about it:
Creps is really happy to have friends who are in their twenties. (He's older than that.) Most of what he relates in regards to the topics has to do with what his groovy young friends have taught him.
The best chapter is about reverse mentoring. (see reference to groovy young friends above). The gist of the book relates to the fact that young people have taught him a lot about what it means to be the church and how to lead it.
Best question he asks (from page 88): "Are we participating in expanding the Kingdom of God or just rearranging it? Are we doing God's will well?"
Bottom line: who you develop relationships with has an impact on the way one leads.
It is the second Leadership Network Publication I've been taxed to read this year. Anyone else read it?

Tagged

2007-06-28T11:02:00.000-07:00

So my buddy Marybeth tagged me last week while at conference. She and I had some great times in seminary....oh, the times we had!
I've finally come up for air, so here goes:
Four Jobs I've Had
Worked for Godiva Chocolatier during undergrad. (yes, it was a sinful job! but after awhile, it is like selling shoes, I swear!)
I was a file clerk for a year and a half before seminary. (Really, I was more of a corporate chaplain looking out for the support staff who were regularly abused by the attorneys. Favorite part of the job-- got to use my walkman while I worked!)
I worked in Admissions in seminary--a favorite job for me-- I loved interacting with potential students and students transitioning into the seminary...allowed me to know everyone which my little extroverted heart loved!
Pastor. Starting my tenth year in my third appointment. I'd like to stay here for a long time.
Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over
Star Wars (especially episodes 4-6)
Shaun of the Dead (this movie cracks me up!)
A League of Their Own
Sixteen Candles (I know there are many others...my brain is tired.)
Four Places I've Lived
Lancaster, CA
Huntington Beach, CA
Boston, MA
Lawndale, CA
Four Places I've Vacationed
Hawaii (Oahu, Hawaii, Maui...this year, Kauai)
Yellowstone and Grand Tetons (and we have gorgeous photos to prove it!)
Pacific-Northwest
East Coast (though I'm jonesin' for some Boston grub...and no sight of visiting there anytime soon.)
Four of my favorite dishes
Anything from the Green Temple in South Redondo
Enchiladas made with friends
Fish Sandwiches from Point Loma Seafoods
This Smoked Salmon pasta dish that Joel really loves and Scott's AMAZING Eggplant Parm (it melts in your mouth!)
Four Sites I Visit Daily
Email (this is my favorite way to communicate anymore)
itunes (so fun to listen to a lot of different things)
Favorite blogs (because I love to read what others are thinking)
Amazon.com (hey, if one of our District Superintendents can shop there while in plenary, why can't I?)
Four Places I Would Rather Be Right Now
at home with Joel (he's on summer break, the lucky guy)
with friends (was spoiled last week with my time with them at conference).
at a spa (I could really use a massage!)
walking at the beach (really it is a crime to live this close and not spend more time there!)
Four people I'm tagging:
Molly (holy trouble)
Karen (forever kc!)
David (walking paradox)
Mompriest (seeking authentic voice)
(Of course, I'd love Nicole to play and Katie L., too)

Eddie's SO funny....

2007-06-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

We got to see Eddie Izzard live last night at this little club in Los Angeles... literally sold out in minutes because it is so small. He's working on new material for his next show...and we laughed for two solid hours. Good for the abs!
One of many favorite quotes from the night: "Religion should have two things: Common sense and a good sense of humor."

historic.

2007-06-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from Redlands, California, and the most recent Annual Conference Sessions. A new day has come to Cal-Pac Annual Conference! This was the year of young leadership. First and foremost, God's Spirit moved in the most amazing and miraculous way-- we elected a 30 year old clergywoman as first clergy delegate (she'll lead the delegation!). Molly will be the youngest clergyperson in memory to hold that chair. She'll do an amazing job and has already received much support and care from persons of all ages. Can't help but think that it does help to put up a solid candidate and leader like Molly-- people will respond to that. Our Conference Leadership Team, led by a 35 year old clergywoman, was able to get its strategic initiatives passed. Young people were up and at microphones, leading worship, discussions, etc. We all definitely took charge and helped to bring about an exciting change! I'm exhausted, but in that good way!

The Weather

2007-06-18T09:46:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I journey to smoggy and hot Redlands, CA, for the Annual Conference meeting. For the past few weeks I've been keeping an eye on the weather in the IE (the Inland Empire) and hearing that it was below average or seasonal for this time of year. This morning I turned on KTLA to learn that they expect the temperatures to go up out there about ten degrees. Coincidence? I don't know...but think about it...1500 United Methodist clergy and lay leaders are gathering at the U of R together....seems like a lot of hot air in one place!
I ask for your prayers for all who will gather to do "holy conferencing" this week...that we might be open to the Spirit's movement among us...and that we might hear each other.
You can keep track of the warm proceedings at the conference's website, www.cal-pac.org.

School is almost out!

2007-06-12T13:33:00.001-07:00

This is an edgy tribute to teachers....I give thanks for teachers like my husband, Joel! Here's to the summer countdown!

The Sopranos and Annual Conference

2007-06-10T17:58:00.000-07:00

Okay, I've not been someone who has watched the Sopranos-- but I know enough about it to get a Hollywod picture of the mob today. There is always a mob boss-- in this case it is Tony Soprano who is the tough guy. He uses words and actions to make people do what he wants them to do. He's king of the world, center of the universe, the only voice that matters. What Tony says, goes. He's the kind of leader that, at least from my observation from the previews and commercials I've seen, uses people to get what he wants done. It's his way or the highway. Enough cliches to make the point?
Many have been to Annual Conference, others of us are bracing for it. I use the word "bracing" on purpose. It seems that our Annual Conference sessions have gone from "holy conferencing" to "mobster-style" conferencing. We've got "mob bosses" with strong ideas and people willing to follow them, making decisions based upon taste, certain agendas and/or downright stubbornness. Oh, and every time they interact with folks--whether by email or otherwise, they are either passive-aggressive and/or downright mean.
In the long run, this mafia ethos gets in the way of getting things accomplished-- looking forward with hope and vision. In case people forgot, we're a declining denomination trying to do the same stuff we did fifty years ago, and it is not working. The mob bosses don't like the changes the leadership is proposing in my conference because it would mean tough, tough, tough work for all of us. Last time I checked, spiritual leadership did not come with an easy button. But many of the mob bosses speak up because they don't want to change--they like things as they are. Holding people accountable, trying to re-tool pastors who may not have been tooled to begin with, getting laity to get a clue about the true state of the church and their place in making change, and so on, puts us in a difficult place-- one we're all going to have to work through together. It's clear we cannot stay the same or we'll die!
As I learned recently at the Lewis Leadership Cohort, you've got to inspire folks to share a vision with you. That's really tough to do when you've got the Sharks and Jets breaking up any possibility of doing anything positive or hopeful.
Now, this may sound rather fatalistic. In a sense, it is my feeling, much like our Old Testament prophets, wishing God would open up a can of diet "Smite" (oh, how I love that...coined by my lead musician, Jim!) and help us get out of ourselves and think about the future. Right now we've lost my generation, for the most part, from the Church. I'm fighting for my life, so to speak, not to lose the next.
I'm sure my desire to shut up the mob bosses in my Annual Conference to give other voices a chance is going to get me a new pair of shoes, if you know what I mean. But I am tired of seeing the same people who have led us into the trouble we're in getting the time and the resources to take the ship down fully. Sure, I'm using caricatures that I detest, but I want to make a point:
Hear O Annual Conferences! Listen to God not the "Tony Sopranos," both clergy and laity who don't represent God's will, but their agendas!

Lies, Lies, Lies, yeah....

2007-06-08T14:20:00.000-07:00

That is the chorus of a Thompson Twins song from the 80's. More recently, though, it has been the only thing I hear out of the mouths of most youths I talk to. I am deeply troubled by what appears to be the okay practice of lying about anything and everything. I feel like my expectations are too high, but the lying is so blatantly wrong and consistent, it is hard to trust any of the young people I work with right now.
My favorite kind of lie is the lie that happens right after I've watched the liar do the questionable act right in front of me. As if I did not see it with my own eyes! The practice is so pervasive, they lie to try and protect each other, even when they don't know exactly what they are lying about-- they would rather lie to try and protect a friend than know the truth.
So it made me think a lot last night. I found out a youth lied to me because she knew that other responsible adults were going to share concerns with me about her behavior. She's pretty smart, so she figured a vague lie, a long face, and playing on my deep concern for her would get her the attention she wanted before the crap hit the fan. When I heard the other side of the story last night, I was livid! I know kids will lie, but again, all the time? Do they all live in a fantasy world where they get away with everything?
Now, I am not perfect and have learned a lot about lying and its consequences. But I also know and say to the youth that telling the truth is not going to get you out of dealing with the consequences, but is likely going to make them better than if you lie.
Are we allowing a generation of young people to grow up thinking it is okay to lie to get their way? I realize that adults have not modeled the kind of values around this issue I'd like them to. But I see a great danger looming if we are not working to stop this insane behavior.
And that's the truth.

Temporary Incompetence

2007-06-05T13:46:00.000-07:00

I wanted to blog about the first meeting of the Lewis Fellows...but alas, my schedule is whacked! So finally, I have a minute to share with you all my favorite new phrase from that meeting...temporary incompetence! Lovett Weems (not Hello Kitty, as I apparently implied in a very early post--sorry, Lovett!) shared with us that this is the time period from when one graduates from seminary, enters full time ministry to the time that one finally reaches a sense of competency in one's vocation.
In other words, it is the time it takes to get the hang of things! Lovett went onto explain that everyone experiences this to some degree when they begin something new. What he hopes to do with the Lewis Center and with groups like the Lewis Fellows is help to make that time frame much smaller-- so that young clergy become more effective right away. He, his staff and the seminary are totally dedicated to this! How cool is that?!
Recently I had the chance to go to the "Bat Cave "(a.k.a. Conference Center--that sounds so boring, so I gave it my own cute nickname) to meet with the Bishop and extended cabinet to talk about all the work I've done around young clergy issues. It was a scary, yet exciting opportunity to speak my truth to people in power. And, of course, having some colorful handouts helped! (Praise God for color copiers!) Our discussion was frank and hopeful. They really wanted to know what I was up to, so that we could all move forward together. It was nice to get their insight and ideas about what we could all do to help new young clergy, create a culture of call, and work to make needed changes.
Perhaps my time of "temporary incompetence" is coming to close! Last week I had one of those experiences where I could reflect back and realize how much I've grown as a pastor. Certainly I have much still to learn, but it is nice to see the ways I've been shaped and molded by all the experiences and people in my ministry. Pretty cool....

Tacked on....

2007-05-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

While in the larger scale of the Church, this may seem small, I feel like I'm a part of the rebel forces trying to destroy the Death Star....
I've blogged in the past about the lack of leadership at the Annual Conference level we have in youth and young adult ministries....so little that the couple of people keeping it together have done the best they can with the little resources and support they get, and that is clearly not enough!
Now, finally, the leadership up there on the Conference level has decided that "yes"-- a chunk of our apportionment dollars should go into creating a position for this small, yet significant constituency.
And, like the grinding institution we are, it's now on to fight out who and what this position will look like and be.
I definitely have a vision of what that position should look like. It differs from some of the leadership. That's gonna bring on the jedis and rebel forces to fight for the good of the force.
Where's the disturbance in the force felt?
The sticky point is campus ministry. Now, before I start talking about where I stand on this and how it relates to this position we're dreaming up, you need to know a bit of my background. I was VERY ACTIVE in campus ministry while in college. I was a UMSM person. I loved and respected my campus ministers. I support our presence on the campus so much that I felt called at one time to this ministry.
I don't think, however, that this new position should include campus ministry, Christian Education, or camping in its position description. Why, you ask?
If we are to create a culture of call in my Annual Conference, we need to develop good, creative, confident youth and young adult leaders who will go out and do the hard work. We need someone who will come in and not do programming and all that other stuff that often gets dumped on the youth person; rather, develop and encourage leadership. That's a whole different picture than the way we did things in the past.
Why can't campus ministry fit into that picture, you ask?
Well, first of all we have a bunch of full time campus ministers that are supposed to be doing that type of ministry, and I am sure they probably are. They have a Conference committee that oversees their work. They have plenty of people and resources from our apportionments making those ministries happen. Same thing with Christian Ed and camping. Youth and young adults suffer from lack of resources and commitment because of how extremely difficult they are in our context. Our future lies in the hands of those who lead young people. In the skewed words of Princess Leia, "Youth and young adult workers, you are our only hope!"
My prayer is that I can help articulate a vision for this dynamic part of our collaborative ministry that others will get the point and its importance. Otherwise, we're just as bad as Congress, tacking on pork to important legislation. I don't want us to do this to our kids. They deserve more!
(Oh, and happy 30th anniversary to Star Wars tomorrow!)

Virtual Church

2007-05-22T14:08:00.000-07:00

Last night on the NBC Nightly News, there was a story about "Second Life," a HUGE virtual world that millions belong to that has virtual worship services from various faith traditions that you can "go" to within this virtual world. You can use this link to go and watch the story. We hear from the perspective of a young adult man who goes to the virtual church every Sunday and watches through the screen-- you get the sense that he feels very much a part of this worshiping community. You'll see a piece of an interview with the virtual pastor who talked about his understanding of the great commission including cyberspace. And you hear from Rev. Elaine Heath, professor at Perkins School of Theology (and mother of my most amazing first service musician!) about her take on this virtual church.
The most telling comment of this short story came from a man whose "Second Life" persona is a large cat in a t-shirt. He says that he can be himself in the virtual church and it's the first time he's felt able to be himself in church.
What a sad statement. Sad statement, indeed.
Is there a place in our churches for persons who seem themselves as a large cat in a tshirt?
While I definitely fall more on the side that Elaine mentions, (I wish they had more from her!), that being that we need to be a part of a gathered community, I can see the allure, especially to younger generations of a church like the virtual church-- it's easier to be you when you have greater control over how you present that "you" through cyberspace. Yet, I am hopeful that we, the real church, might get a clue and ask ourselves that difficult question, how can we help make our churches more hospitable to all the "not-perfect" people that need to know Christ's love?

Annual Conference Countdown....

2007-05-17T11:04:00.000-07:00

In my Annual Conference, we're about a month away from the BIG SHOW. At this point last year, I was a ball of nerves/stress because I was in charge of the agenda for the Sessions. We were trying something new for us, more in line with what our Bishop envisioned. And so, I was dealing with the angry dogs that did not get time or wanted more time, and the usual extra folks the Bishop granted time to without thinking about how it affected the whole grand scheme of things. (She is one of the most gracious people I know.) I resigned last year for a variety of reasons-- two of the biggest being that I started at a new church and I wanted to work on the culture of call issue that faces us. Without a desk to be chained to and the responsibility I've had, I have this overwhelming sense of, "WEEEE, I'm FREEEE!" I have way more choice about what I do this year at conference (or not!). I feel so liberated!
Well, I feel liberated in part. The other half of me knows I'll be in plenaries working hard on some stuff I'm passionate about. I want to see a young clergyperson elected to General Conference. I want to be a part of conversations about the future and vision of the Annual Conference-- especially related to young people. We've had a very poor track record of support and resources for youth and young adult ministries in the past ten years. (This is no knock to the wonderful, talented folks who've kept youth ministry going! )
But the other half just wants to completely disengage and play....spend time with my friends, listen to my ipod, and do any other thing that will keep me from scuffling in the politics of the week.
So, while I know in my heart I won't be able to disengage completely, I want to do what I can to allow myself some space to play. So here's the challenge. I want to make a playlist for Annual Conference. Songs that have made it in the past include, "Time is running out" by MUSE, and the totally appropriate, "If you talk too much (my head will explode)" by People in Planes. Your turn to play-- what else shall I include?
If the list is really fun, I'll create an imix on itunes!
Oh, and happy birthday to my niece, Shana, who turns 1 today!

The Friday Five

2007-05-11T15:14:00.000-07:00

The Revgals like to play a bit of Fridays (who doesn't?) Here's the Friday Five according to me...
Reverendmother says, "There are two types of people in the world, morning people and night owls. Or Red Sox fans and Yankees fans. Or boxers and briefs. Or people who divide the world into two types of people and those who don't. Let your preferences be known here. And if you're feeling verbose, defend your choices!" RED SOX NATION! I went to seminary in Boston...so I can say with confidence that the Yankees are evil....
1. Mac? or PC? Both. :)
2. Pizza: Chicago style luscious hearty goodness, or New York floppy and flaccid? Bring on the deep dish!
3. Brownies/fudge containing nuts:a) Good. I like the variation in texture.b) An abomination unto the Lord. The nuts take up valuable chocolate space.[or a response of your choosing] Mmm...brownies....yum...yum...
4. Do you hang your toilet paper so that the "tail" hangs flush with the wall, or over the top of the roll like normal people do? I don't care as long as the last person doesn't leave me hanging there with an empty roll....
5. Toothpaste: Do you squeeze the tube wantonly in the middle, or squeeze from the bottom and flatten as you go just like the tube instructs? I'm a middle squeezer...Joel can attest to that!
Bonus: Star Wars or Star Trek? Definitely STAR WARS FOR ME!!!
You can go to the Revgals site (from the right side of my blog) to play too!

Unpacking....

2007-05-09T13:44:00.000-07:00

I'm still unpacking, literally and figuratively, the lectures, conversations and events of the past few weeks. I've pushed my body, mind and spirit to the point of pure exhaustion. And yet, I can't stop thinking about some of the things that came up...and notice how I've internalized the information and used it in my ministry context.
As I am starting to prepare for and think about Annual Conference, it is hard for me not to think about a quote that I wrote down from Luther Smith, of Candler School of Theology. It had to do with the discipline of suffering. He said, "Who's looking at how you bear the suffering?" (in this instance the suffering you or I do in the local church.)
I think about this in relationship to conversations I've had with colleagues about how hard ministry is, and how it seems like baseball, three out of ten is an all-star figure in our vocational life. I think about young clergy who responded to surveys and shared their personal suffering because of how little they are paid and how high the cost of living is in our context. I think about the constant conflicts that happen between younger folks and the majority of the church-- who are significantly older-- about translating the good news into other languages, namely the languages of younger gens. I think about a friend who is struggling to be pastor and single mom. The list of the suffering I see and experience in the lives of my clergy colleagues is weighty. That does not even begin to list the suffering I see in my congregation and community.
Do others notice the suffering you bear? If suffering is a spiritual discipline, are you prepared to live with conflict as a constant in life?
I think it is one thing to make sure others see the suffering I bear....but do I see the suffering that other's bear? It is a call to attentiveness...a difficult calling in a world as fast and crazy as ours is.
I take comfort in knowing that Jesus struggled with this, too. He got frustrated and disillusioned when people did not get the suffering he was to bear--even as he hung on the cross.

Lewis Fellows

2007-05-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

Here we are! The latest Lewis Fellows Cohort. We met in Baltimore, MD, in April to receive training in church leadership. Check out www.churchleadership.com for more information. We're from all over, and represent about six different denominations. I'll be blogging about specific things we talked about soon...just wanted to show off the group!

Incubus_

2007-05-01T09:48:00.001-07:00

A Post-Modern Psalm, for sure!

2007-04-30T15:20:00.000-07:00

If you are under 40 and a clergywoman, check this out:
A group of young clergywomen have put together "the Preaching as Testimony"conference at the College of Preachers in Washington DC this August 6-10. It's for clergywomen under 40, it's taught by Anna Carter Florence, and there is scholarship money available.

More info here and here. Or, click on the revgals link to the right, as they've just posted the information there, too!
I'm not able to go...but hope that if you fit this group, you'll go!

Generation Tolerant

2007-04-30T11:21:00.000-07:00

It is hard for me to believe that this is the fifteenth anniversary of the LA Riots. I remember being a student at Long Beach State and on campus when the rioting was at its worst. I was in LA-1 room 300 learning about the Maccabean revolt when a National Guard came into our classroom, machine gun in hand, commanding us to leave campus immediately-- that the city was imposing a curfew because the rioting had moved into Long Beach. The traffic leaving campus crawled...the anxiety level went through the roof. It was a very unsettling time to live in Los Angeles...remembering the riots invoke a sense that we've still got a lot of work to do when it comes to getting along. (thanks, Rodney King.)
As I was pondering the riots today, I came across this short op-ed piece in the LA TIMES. The point the editorial team makes is this:
"Not only are young people encouragingly unconcerned about the skin color or nationality of others, they don't think of themselves much that way, either. When asked the most significant aspects of their identity, they chose music and fashion. Their tribes? Punk-rock skaters, hip-hop activists, salseros. In terms of what young people consider most important about themselves, race and ethnicity didn't even come in second — that slot went to religion."
This caused me to stop and think about the church for a minute, and in particular worship styles (which is increasingly more how we identify ourselves in the church these days.) When people say, "I can't understand why young people can't worship OUR way, or THIS way (meaning with organ and hymn books), they totally don't get how young people identify themselves and/or express themselves. To be in community, then, would be to find ways to engage one another based on how we see ourselves and the world. Fashion and music are the ways to do that.
Does this mean that pastors should pick up Goth or hip hop fashion? No, because that would not be authentically who they are. But I think this pushes us to think about how we go about doing evangelism and hospitality in our churches. Are we finding ways to connect with young people in ways that resonate with who they are, or are we expecting them to conform to our ways?
One of my favorite professors in seminary, Prof. Dana Robert, once said that mission and evangelism done right is indigenous to the group you are trying to reach for Christ. In other words, leadership, language, expression of the gospel needs to come from within the community you are trying to reach. We're on the endangered species list because we've missed this connection and mode of sharing faith. Or so I think....

Boredom

2007-04-26T10:38:00.000-07:00

So having wifi in the retreat center is a dangerous thing...it has given me connection to the world that most people go on retreat to get away from.....Something stuck to my soul from the "Beauty" lecture yesterday like the dried mango is sticking to my teeth right now...
Luther talked about the sin of "sloth" as boredom. Think about how many times you've been bored in context or another and thought of your boredom as sinful? I'm betting that many of us don't think about boredom that way. His point was to say that if God created all things, than our indifference or boredom keeps us from truly embracing all of God's gifts.
I think about how how fast and busy our world is that when we sit still long enough to open our spirits to God, there is a tendency to be bored, because we cannot see the beauty in the silence and stillness.
I also think about how younger folks are bored by the traditional ways we worship in Mainline churches. It does not connect with their understanding of beauty-- and therefore does not feel holy or filled with praise. On the flip side, there are many who are comfortable, er, complacent in their worship style that they cannot see beauty outside the hymnal, the organ, the same liturgy they've always done.
My point is this: it is important for us to think beyond our comfortable understandings of beauty for the sake of the gospel. In order to have a truly open table, where everyone is welcome to gather just as they are, we need to be vulnerable and open to other ideas of beauty-- whether that come in the form of Bach or hip hop.
Boredom comes from an unwillingness to engage. It is a great problem for the Church today, as it is also a problem for our society. How do we find ways to guide one another into new places of beauty and understanding?

On Beauty

2007-04-25T23:13:00.000-07:00

Today in our lecture, Luther Smith talked about Beauty as a core value for spiritual formation. He said, "to reject the gift, to reject beauty is to reject the giver, the Creator."
It certainly is a call to seek beauty in all things. And it is a challenge to go beyond our comfort zones and places we are happy to seek beauty. As I think of the Church, I wonder if there is a place for the kind of beauty that would come from embracing a different way of being Church...tattoos, piercings, ipods and all... I encourage you to ask Luther's question, "to what places do you go that engage you with beauty in an extrordinary way? How do these places speak to your soul?"
May you know the beauty of this day...it is a gift from God.

Junior Highers Rock!

2007-04-24T22:35:00.000-07:00

I'm in the middle of a whirlwind adventure that took me to Baltimore and back last week (I'll blog about that soon!), to lead a junior high retreat for about 200 people over the weekend, and now to the Academy for Spiritual Formation week in San Francisco! I can't wait to be home with my husband and dog for awhile!
As I sit in silence tonight, and ponder the theme of the day, "vision," (I preached at our Eucharist service tonight...which was both intimidating and exhilariating!), I can't help but think about the middle school kids I got to speak to this weekend. They were from United Methodist churches from all over the Annual Conference region. Kids from South Los Angeles who have never left the city, to kids burdened by irrational suburban expectations...it was a great gift to spend holy, fun time with these young people. I am still in awe of the leadership provided by two young female youth directors. They are both creative and passionate about youth ministry...and the kids experienced that.
I received a wonderful gift in terms of feedback from the youth and their charperones/parents about their experience this weekend. They were excited to engage me about their faith, about how much fun they were having (is that allowed in church?), and about the Spirit's stirring in their lives. Some voiced an interest in ordained ministry.
What impressed me most was their ability to get out of it what they put in it. The kids wanted to have a great experience, and they did. I'm still sore from jumping up and down on the concrete with them and we sang and worshipped together. I wear that pain and discomfort with pride. It reminds that if we invest in our young people, there is hope for the church. I sense that God wants us to follow through for them!
PS on Wednesday to Andy's comment-- I guess you don't know me very well! I am a junior higher at heart! :)

Prayer Blog

2007-04-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

As the blogosphere has become an important place to exchange ideas and recently prayers, I ask for your prayers for Jenell Britt. She is a family member of mine and a truly lovely person. She's been in ICU battling for her life. You can read about her condition at the link provided. Thanks for your prayers for Jenell, her husband, Rex, daughter Debbie, son Mike and grandkids Carly and Danelle. And, of course, all who love and care about her....

AMAZING!

2007-04-11T11:14:00.000-07:00

Joel and I saw the band MUSE last night at the Forum. Totally the best rock show I've seen....no words to describe it...
They totally rocked!

Eddie Izzard - Easter and Christmas

2007-04-04T16:44:00.001-07:00

Happy Holy Week! A little Eddie to put things in perspective...now mompriest won't need to find the video!

Take a page from their book...

2007-04-04T10:51:00.000-07:00

I'm not a morning person. So I read the newspaper AND watch/listen to the morning news on tv. This morning something caught my attention: I went to a CSU school for my undergrad. I had heard that the professors were talking about walking out if they could not get a decent contract. Yesterday they came to an agreement. You can read about it here.
What struck me about the agreement, a whopping 20.7% increase over four years, is that their reasoning for this gigantic increase had everything to do with recruiting, "new, young talented professors to our system." The report says that with many aged professors retiring, the CSU system is having trouble recruiting the kind of high caliber professors they want because their compensation is low compared to universities around the country. The professors' union finally got the trustees to see that if they want a certain level of education, they needed to invest in the people who offer it.
A lesson for the church here?

Response

2007-04-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

I was reading yesterday the Circuit West that my Annual Conference puts out with all the information they find important to print. I usually glance at the letters to the editor, because like the homegrown newspaper here in the South Bay of Los Angeles, they are usually entertaining. This issue's letters began with a letter from a Boomer pastor who was bemoaning the fact that for many years he's read books, gone to seminars, done all this crap to try and attract young people to worship. Now, he's decided because he's gone to yet another seminar (likely led by another boomer) that small groups are what young adults need.
Not once in his his little note did he say that he spent TIME with young adults developing relationships with them. This might mean getting his butt out of his chair and into unfamiliar territory. I know for a fact that when I was in college, one of my UM student movement friends (a young adult), went to this guy's church. If starting a sermon with a joke, (that according to her never related to the message of the day), is the ideal of what "good worship," is, uh....need I say more.
Like my bright yellow, thick leadership book says, "leadership is about relationships." Again, need I say more?!
At the end of his letter he suggests that we all should leave our pulpits and pull up a chair and sit with people. Rather than making worship vital and relevant, that he should have discussion groups. We live in a "both/and" world, dude. Get it that you need to have BOTH to build trust and relationships that will then be worthy of a young person's commitment. Telling me a joke every time you get into the pulpit (oh, yeah, leave that, too) is not gonna do it for me. I'm pretty sure that's true for other young adults, too.
A little disclaimer-- I know all Boomers are not guilty of being like this guy. But the vocal ones make the rest look bad. The letter is a "poor me" and makes the issue about the Boomer, not evangelism.
I'd love to see how the conversation would play out between Jesus and his Boomer disciples....
Boomer Thomas: "Jesus, we went into the town, pulled out our acoustic guitars, starting playing great 60's style music, read from the Torah, and nobody seemed interested in hearing the good news. I tried, man."
Jesus: "Did you talk to people, share the good news, care for the poor, heal the sick?"
BT: "Well, no... we disciples thought that if we hung out together at Starbucks they'd come to us. But no one seemed to want to talk to us. We're your disciples-- they should just know to come to us, right?"
Jesus, "Uh, discipleship and ministry is not about YOU. It's about relationships with others. Have you not been paying attention to what I've been teaching you?"
BT: "Oh, that stuff...well, it stretches us a little too far. We're not sure we can totally follow all that stuff you want us to do. We'd rather see the Sabbath as a spa day. That taking up the cross thing...we tried it in the late 60s, and we'd rather make money now..."
Jesus: "God, they know not what they do..."
You get the idea...and can probably write a better script!
Evangelism to young people is not about "posing" or copying. It's about being real. It's about committing to getting out and being with people. It's about BEING the church in the world.

UNREMARKABLE!

2007-04-02T16:01:00.000-07:00

That's what my results said about my internal organs.
One of the few times in my life I can safely say I'm happy to be called unremarkable. Still not sure what caused me to be so ill, but I'll take it.
Thank you so much for your prayers!

It's SPRING!

2007-04-02T12:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the prayers...no results yet...I'll let you know!
On a more enjoyable front, BASEBALL SEASON HAS BEGUN! I know, they get paid way too much. They use drugs to make them super-human. But I love the game. Could this be our year?

Health Update

2007-03-27T16:07:00.000-07:00

In case you care...
my results from last week's test are normal. So I'm very concerned about tomorrow's test because it could mean something more serious. Please pray! Thanks.