Musings from a Pastor, Educator, Wife, and Mother





Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Lifelong Learning

Isn't it amazing what we think we know?  What makes individuals an expert on anything?  Is it how many degrees they have? Is it how many years of experience they have had? Is it a personal passion for a topic?  These questions may be easy to answer if we are talking about being a meteorologist or a doctor.  For example, I may be really interested in human anatomy, but that doesn't mean you should come to me when you are having chest pains.  And I have a lot of personal experience with erratic Virginia weather, having lived here my whole life, but I can't look to the sky and tell you for certain if those clouds forming determine a hail storm  (I have a friend, Bonnie, who could tell you probably. Because it is of her interests and experience).

But how do we answer these questions when it comes to talking about and learning about our faith? Who do you trust to guide you in lifelong learning about the Bible, Faith, and Christian Life?  As an ordained minister with degrees in Divinity and Christian Education I find that I can be a bit of a snob about this.  I want pastors to be educated, to have gone to seminary and earned degrees in ministry. I worked hard for my education so I get a little peeved when ministers from other denominations at times don't have any credentials such as this.  I fear that those who follow those leaders may be lead astray.  This is my bias, I will be honest and not one that is always true. 

But I do not find myself believing that pastors are the only people who can teach other Christians about the faith.  For some, this is the norm, the only individuals that are trusted to interpret the Scriptures, to help guide our spiritual life are the ministers.  I wonder at what age that changes?  It is okay  faithful volunteers to teach our little children the Bible stories.  At what stage of life does the shift happen where only scholars can guide other adults in the faith? Middle School? High School?  After college?  As adults we find often that we distrust others.  We worry that other adults may not have done their homework adequately or that they may stir in their own personal biases in Bible Studies or Sunday School Forums.  I am not saying that this does not happen but when we walk into the doors of our churches and our sanctuaries, aren't we supposed to suspend our distrust and disbelief in humanity?  Aren't we called to be one body? 

I believe in the priesthood of all believers.  And I believe in the beauty of many voices and interpretations of the Scripture, that in dialogue we can all learn from one another.  I believe that we can never know all that there is to know about the Bible, no matter how many degrees we have.  This does not mean that we will all have the exact same level of knowledge, or we will all agree about the Bible message and how it intersects with our lives today.  But, that is OK!  Surely, as Peter, James & John followed Jesus they didn't always hear the same message.  And yet, they were vital to the faith and the future of the Church.  

With that being said, I suppose my point is this: while it does take a special, dedicated individual to lead our congregations in prayer, in study of the Scripture, and other writings from individuals who are faithfully engaging the Bible... there are many faithful Christians who fit that description who are guiding many people in thoughtful theological discussions the world over.  And there are many who fit the description who are afraid to step forward and participate in this way. 

We can all teach, preach, and learn from one another.  And we ALL have more to learn.  I think that is a beautiful thing because it means that God is never finished being at work in and through us.   Let us not relegate Sunday School to children only.  Let us not think that Bible Study only happens successfully when the pastor leads it.  And let us not think that one Bible Study will ever be enough.  Let us be open to new ways of engaging in the Word.  Let us stretch ourselves beyond what is comfortable. Let us admit we haven't immersed ourselves in the Bible narrative (I haven't). Let us admit that we cannot recite all the psalms (I can't). Let us be honest that we don't know all of the historical context of our faith (I don't).  Let us confess that we do not have an answer for all of the questions that come up about our faith (I don't and won't). It is time to stop pretending and embrace the fact that this is OK! Let us be present in a lifetime of Christian learning. Let us not doubt that we can listen and learn, speak and educate, together.  Amen.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Come, All Ye Faithful

I'm starting the New Year's Resolution early.  Hopefully that doesn't mean it will sputter out early, too!  When thinking about positive ways to engage one another as family, friends, neighbors, brothers & sisters in Christ (whatever best suits your needs) I think perhaps one way I can aid in this engagement is by blogging on a more regular basis.  I always do a monthly blog for my son, Kemper, and if you want to read those you can check out http://junebugsandpickuptrucks.blogspot.com/.  But this will be a more concentrated effort on thinking about faith, ministry, every day life and where they intersect. 

A familiar hymn during this season is "Come, All Ye Faithful."  The hymn calls on us to "Come and behold him, born the King of angels. Oh come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord."  Here is what I find so fascinating about Christmas.  It is all the people that you get to see at special Christmas Concerts and Worship services, and pageants and church that you don't see any other time of year.  You know what I am talking about, the Christmas and Easter people.  Maybe you are one of them.  On Christmas we do come, we flock together to bear witness to "Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!" And then Christmas Day comes and goes, life's routines fall back into place, and we lose that brilliant light and joy that we experienced for those few hours together in the great fellowship halls, live nativity stalls, and sanctuaries of our places of worship. 

Why?

What is it that brings us back time and time again for Christmas, the story we know best?  And what is it that prevents us from coming back for Sabbath time all the days following?

Is it the same old stories?  Is it too much politicking and hypocrisy (we've all heard that argument)?  Is the worship not feeding you spiritually?  And, more importantly, is the church not serving and/or directing its worship to God? 

Our church theme at Covenant this year is "Already Home."  The thought behind this being that in Covenant you have a place that you can feel comfortable and welcome, a place where you can lay your weariness aside and reconnect with one another and God.  We seek to fill our needs with so many other activities, clubs, and associations, but in God and together as the body of Christ, you already are given what you need.  

So, I challenge you as the new year approaches to Come.  Come worship with us on Christmas.  And keep on coming.