Welcoming the stranger

Scripture:  Matthew 10:40-42

Greetings all!

I really believe that one of the most important lessons from Jesus' life has to do with hospitality.  Jesus broke all the social taboos of his time and reached out with care, healing and friendship to people who were outcasts of his day.  Some of the folk that Jesus accepted were rejected by everyone - the lepers and demon-possessed.  Others were looked down on by many, but most objectionable to the Pharisees who believed that the way to God was through exacting obedience to the holiness code.  They felt God called all of Israel to purity and separation from contact with foreigners and with anything that might prevent a person entering readily into the temple's inner court. 

Jesus saw a very different path to God.  His vision was of a world without such social divisions; where what was on a person's heart was more important than what they touched or the diseases they might have.  God's love reaches out to all and Jesus' hand was extended to all also.  

Hospitality begins at church with simple acts, like wearing a nametag, greeting an unknown person, serving as a greeter, smiling at people.  It takes another step as we be sure that a newcomer can find the nursery or the restrooms, can follow the order of worship without getting confused, feels welcome to take communion when offered, is included in the fellowship after worship, is spoken to and thanked for coming as they leave.  Charlene Smith, Minister of Evangelism for Church Development and Vitality of the United Church of Christ, challenged attendees of the Association Meeting this spring to start a block or so away from the church and approach as if for the very first time.  Look at signage and the appearance of the building, the entry, the way you and others are greeted and the experience all the way through the service.  (Make a point of going to a service elsewhere if you travel this summer.  It can help you see things you might otherwise take for granted.)  Look at what you see in the gathering space, on the bulletin boards, in the sanctuary.  What does it all tell a newcomer about Zion?  Does it fairly represent who we are and what we do?

There is a lot more to hospitality.  As pastor, I send letters of welcome to newcomers.  (Notice I am avoiding the term "visitor." Visitor implies a short-term, one-shot presence. We have visitors, relatives and friends who come for only one week or so, but even those should be treated as friends and potential members of the church  community.) Some congregations take welcome gifts - cookies, or a loaf of bread - to newcomers.  Newcomers who return need to be incorporated into the church community by being invited to fellowship events, small groups, mission projects, etc.  

As important as all this is, it is only a part of the larger question of welcoming the stranger. Welcoming all that Jesus loves is easy when we wait for people to appear at the door and those that do have a lot in common with all of us.  But what if the person who arrives looks like they've slept under a bridge for a month?  Or talks back during the sermon (positively or negatively)? Or is a flamboyantly gay couple? Are we as welcoming?

We are called to make disciples, to be active in inviting people to the fellowship of Christ.  That requires invitation.  Who do we invite?

How do we respond to a released prisoner or sex offender?  What would Jesus do?

[Note: The above question is theoretical.  This congregation has policies in place to ensure the safety of our children. These are of first order and these questions are not intended to imply any threat or danger to anyone.]

More about welcome on Sunday.  See you then.

Finding grace in the flood

Greetings on this day of highest water (we hope and pray!)

When read in the midst of the devastating flooding here and across the midwest, the scriptures this week are hard to take.  Jeremiah (Jeremiah 20: 7-13) is so angry at God for making him prophesy doom that he accuses God of the spiritual equivalent of rape and in verses 14-18 wishes he had never been born.   Jeremiah is unable to hold back the word of God even though it is making people threaten his life.  He is at the end of his rope and wants OUT!  But God knows that it will not come to the point Jeremiah fears, and that the message he bears is important.  The ranking priest, Passhur, is among Jeremiah's chief opponents and has the ear of the king and the people, so Jeremiah is extremely frustrated.

We could explore the context in which Jeremiah preaches, just before Judah is defeated by Babylon, the temple destroyed and people taken into exile, but I am more interested in the compulsion Jeremiah feels to do as God has called him, and the consequences for his doing so. Hopefully, our calls will not find us in quite as desperate a state as Jeremiah, but Jesus is clear in his message to the disciples (Matthew 10:24-39)  that putting one's call from God, and one's faith in Christ, above everything else can have some less than pleasant consequences.  "I have come to bring not peace, but a sword," Jesus says.  Not a literal sword, Jesus does not ever suggest that violence is the solution, but some relationships may be cut and some priorities drastically changed.  

For Jeremiah, and for the disciples 500 years or so later, being faithful caused some dramatic life changes.  It is easy for us to think that no such effort will be required of us, but the question remains, where is your heart, your soul?  Where will you go and what will you do when God calls?  

Do not be afraid.  Do not fear those who can kill the body but cannot kill the soul.  God loves and cares for the smallest of birds, God will care for you as well.

____

This is a sermon preview this week.  These ideas are on my mind, along with the flooding and how best to respond.  If you know people directly affected by flooding who could use a clean-up kit or other assistance, let the church know.  

Peace and blessings,

Marlea

They'll Know We Are Christians…

Scripture:  Exodus 19:2-8a 

Three months in the desert.  The people have complained about lack of food, and been fed; about lack of water, and water has flowed from a rock.  They have fought off attackers, and been organized into groups with judges to help settle disputes. Now they arrive at Mt. Sinai, and God has a message for them.  God says:  See how I have been with you and brought you safely this far; I have carried you like an eagle carries its young.  If you will stick with me faithfully, you will be my own treasured people.  The whole world is mine, but you will be consecrated as my priestly kingdom, a holy nation.  And the people said, "Everything that the Lord has spoken we will do."

I encourage you to read on beyond verse 8 to see just what a fearsome show God put on to seal this promise - lots of noise and smoke in a scary demonstration of power.  But the point had already been made:  although all people belong to God, these Hebrew people were somehow set apart, treasured and consecrated.  Over time, I suspect we have come to think that we who count ourselves descended from these people through Jesus Christ are set apart from the world.  I know my tendency is to use words that set "us" in contrast to "the world."  There is a separation of some kind intended here, but I think too much can be made of it.  We Christians have often condemned the world or rushed forward to convert it.  

Today as I reflect on this, I see a distinction more like the distinction between the clergy and laity in the congregation.  Clergy are not set apart, nor are they holier or more godly.  They (we) are consecrated to serve; to use the training and the particular gifts we have to build up the church, to call the church to its mission, to encourage and support the mission work of the people.  Just like the judges (Exodus 18: 13-26) who were given responsibility for settling disputes, clergy have a specific role within the community, but do not stand outside it.  So, what would it mean to think of the church in that way in relationship to the rest of the community?  Now, maybe, the title of this blog makes some sense.  What makes us as individual Christians or as a specific congregation known or visible?  How are we seen?  Could someone learn something about God by getting to know us?  Are we leaders or a useful presence in our community?

With no knowledge or research about what is possible or has been tried, here's a list I came up with.  I'm sure you all can do better.  In addition to singing at care facilities, participating in Paint-a-thon and Relay for Life and road cleanup, how about:  A service booth at city events offering shaded seating and free water, a baby changing table, a message board or limited cellphone use to help separated family/group members find one another, blood pressure checks…  (Ear plugs?) Whatever might be needed by a weary event goer on a hot summer day.  No fundraising, no food (lots of work and very available anyway) but respite.  Or whatever other visible service.  

There is merit in doing many things under the radar, but there is also value in saying that we, as Christians, do this service because we believe it is what Christ would have us do.  Love our neighbors.    Whatcha think?

Adults or Children of God?

Greetings on another rainy day!

This morning at the gathering at Digger's Rest, we were reading Hosea 5:15 - 6:6 and talking about whether or not God punishes our bad behavior.  Hosea puts these words in the mouths of the people: "it is [God] who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up."  One voice at the table said that God, like any parent, has responsibility for correction and guidance and sometimes the only way to get the child's attention is through punishment.  Another voice countered that God has given us free will, so when we make mistakes, we have to expect there to be consequences.  God doesn't punish, therefore, but God doesn't protect us from the results of our actions either.  

Maybe the question is, are we youthful children of God or adult children of God?  A parent would be irresponsible if they didn't protect children from some consequences or take the opportunity to use disciplinary tactics to teach their young children behavior that was right and good.  At the same time, as children grow, they need to take more and more responsibility for their own actions.  Parents cannot and should not shield their children from all consequences.  As adults, we are morally and legally responsible for our speech, our actions, and our failures to act.  Consequences, whether a guilty conscience or a legal judgement, must be dealt with. 

The message of faith, however, is that, whatever the nature of your actions, God is merciful and full of grace.  Authentic repentance yields forgiveness.  Forgiveness does not mean that all consequences are removed.  Reconciliation with those one has hurt, restitution for damage or theft, and payment of social debts legally imposed need to be made.  God's forgiveness cannot change that, although sincere repentance may be responded to by humans as well. 

In Hosea, God says, essentially, "I will wait until the people seek me out."  When they do, God gently reproves them for being "like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early." God says, "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings."  

In Matthew 9: 13, Jesus tells his accusers, "Go learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." He quotes Hosea here to help him establish his reasons for seeking out sinners. Sinners are the ones who need God's forgiving and healing grace.

I guess I come down on the adult children side of the discussion, although we often do not act like it.  Maybe, we are more like adolescents, still figuring out what it means to be grown up.  God may need to do some discipline at the same time as letting us take our own lead.  Hmm.  

Still thinking.

Background stuff:

The law as set forth in the Torah specified particular payments for various sins, from an offering of doves to very serious penalties.  Everyday errors most often were satisfied by sacrifices.  In addition, sacrifices of animals were specified for offerings of thanksgiving and honor. In a similar way, in the late medieval church, sins could be regularly cancelled through granting of indulgences (abused to become a payment of money for forgiveness) or through a fixed set of prayers or devotional acts.  Although the goal was to make people more faithful, and the process was reformed several times, many have continued to see it more as a system of balances than a means to faith.  

Protestants have leaned more toward an emotional change of heart, a commitment of self to God.  For some this is a specific time and place of devotion and dedication.  For others, a lifelong process of learning and working and growing in faith.  We at Zion tend to emphasize the latter.  We are more able to support growth and faith development processes than we are more dramatic conversions, but I suspect many of us can claim a bit of both in our histories.

Note:

So, what can I do to get some feedback here?  You don't have to write an essay - a few words is good.  Some sign that I'm not just talking to myself would be nice!  Say "Hi" if nothing else.  

Blessings!

Marlea