UNITY!

Behold how good and pleasant it is when our brothers and sisters dwell in unity! (Psalm 133: 1)

         Like a parent who is troubled about their children’s quarrels, God is troubled when her children do not get along and fail to promote peace and unity in the church. Our God is great and wants us all to work for unity and peace while appreciating and loving the wonderful diversity of his creation.

         I am proud of our church for having a rainbow flag up in front of our building to show we don’t just say in our church vision statement that we are “reaching out with nurturing love to all…” but we practice hospitality and inclusivity as well.

         Since I have Scottish heritage and my clan comes from the region of Alloway, Scotland, I was truly joyful when I read that in May of 2015, our ancestral Church of Scotland joined the PCUSA in allowing the ordination of people who are gay. The outgoing Moderator Very Rev John Chalmers said: "We cannot go on suffering the pain of internal attacks which are designed to undermine the work or the place of others. It's time to play for the team.” He added: "It is time to stop calling each other names, time to shun the idea that we should define ourselves by our differences and instead define ourselves by what we hold in common - our baptism into Christ, our dependence on God's grace, our will to serve the poor and so on."

         According to BBC news, “The vote followed a church-wide debate and consultations with all 45 presbyteries, which voted 31 to 14 in favor of change. Supporters said it was time for the church to be inclusive and recognize the "mixed economy" of modern Scotland.”

         Baptist minister, Reverend Daryl Evans wrote a blog for a website called “What Christians Want to Know” and he listed many scripture passages on “unity.”  Reverend Evans said: “Throughout the centuries the church has  had a difficult time in agreeing with each other.  There are obviously numerous denominations and even many differences even within denominations.  There are many reasons for this dynamic. Sometimes church traditions and differing biblical interpretations get in the way of unity.  But what does the Bible say about unity?  There are many biblical passages that explain what Christian unity should be.”

         The following list is a sampling of the many scriptures on “unity:”  

1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”

John 13:35  “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 17:23 “I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly One, so the world may know that you sent me and loved them as you loved me.”

Acts 4:32  “Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to them was  their own, but they had everything in common”.

Philippians 2:1-3 “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves”.

Colossians 3:14 “And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.”

1 John 4:12  “…. if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

Romans 12:10 “Love one another with affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Ephesians 4:3 “...be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

1 Corinthians 12:12  “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

1 Corinthians 12:26 “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”

Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all One in Christ Jesus.”

Ephesians 4:11-13 “The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹²to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, ¹³until all of us come to the unity of the faith…” 

Romans 12:16 “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”

1 Corinthians 1:10  “I appeal to you, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”

God’s word shows the importance of unity. Today, you may be holding a grudge or ill feelings towards another.  My prayer for you is that you give that up to God.  Show the love and forgiveness that comes from the Holy Spirit and be at peace with all. Amen

9 Things I Know About the "State of the Church"

When I was asked to preach at the Synod of the Pacific meeting coming up, I felt as if I should fashion some sort of “State of the Church” sermon. But then I realized I have no idea what the “State of the Church” is right now! But these things I DO know based on: my past 10 years as an ordained minister, personal experience attending two East Coast seminaries, and from leading the Church of the Roses historic church in Santa Rosa, currently.

Photo credit: http://meridianpointchurch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/State-of-the-church-1024x576.jpg

1.  The church is growing. By the end of May we will have 30 new members in the past year and ½. Promoting authentic faith and preaching inclusivity and love with enthusiasm for the future while promoting new and meaningful missional connections to the regional community (and to orphanages in Haiti) seem to inspire attention to the church and growth. The congregation is more diverse than it has ever been in its 62 year history.

2.   Even when you build a Youth Ministry they might not come. We discovered after hiring a Director of Youth Activities that the high school youth that attend our free breakfast every morning are 75% Catholic. That means they are probably not interested in joining us for worship or other church programs. But, they need community service hours and Catholic charities might help us fund our breakfast program in the future.

3.   The churches I know well on the West and East coasts are very happy about the Same Sex Marriage amendment  and have new hope for the future of the PCUSA. I am glad to have the freedom to conduct a holy marriage service and seal a covenant of love and commitment among all sorts of couples who wish to do so. This is the healthy way to live as couples, in a loving covenant.

4.   There is a place for keeping traditional hymns and liturgy while merging them with newer creative ways of doing worship.  We are trying more hands on participatory worship experiences. They are fun to try even if there isn’t a big influx in attendance for these services, yet….

5.   People love to learn about the physical effects of prayer and the advantages of having faith. When I share information about the evidence-based faith and health studies the congregation seems more motivated to deepen their faith.

6.   When people quit coming to church that doesn’t always mean they don’t like church. It is because as they age they have more and more trouble getting up in time. Consider creating a later service. Include a communal meal each Sunday there isn’t another food related event. Food is a draw for every congregation and group. Engaging the community (even if food is involved) is the harder sell if they aren’t church goers to begin with.

7.   Jesus is still the best thing we have as a beacon of hope to light up our PCUSA’s future.  The unique nature of our Lord and savior, when understood, helps us value faith. Help them see that faith is a verb. The more we show God’s love in action, the more action our church receives from the curious and blessed. The pastor must be an ambassador of the church everywhere. Talking to cashiers, store clerks, café chefs, and haircutters creates a connection to the church that may reap newcomers visiting for worship in the future.

8.   Making friends with the hungry who come for our free food bags each day connected us to our first baby and three adults for baptism in 7 years. We reach out to not only be good imitators of Christ, but until they are asked, most of those folks in need don’t assume they will be welcomed to a church service.

9.   Don’t be afraid....try something new, reach out to the misfits, speak your heart, and love unconditionally. Be a fearless love and peace-promoter wherever you go. Memorize Isaiah 41: 10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (NIV)

The Unexamined Life: An Ash Wednesday Homily

I was just in Ephesus, Turkey last week and the visit inspired me to think about Plato and Socrates. Socrates lived before Christ in Athens between 470-399 BC. As he matured he believed in one God and was accused of impiety by the governing Athenians because he wouldn’t worship the gods of the state. At age 70 he was forced to commit suicide by drinking hemlock. One of his most famous quotes was: “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

I have been thinking about how Socrates' philosophy connects to the Lenten season which begins tonight with Ash Wednesday. If Jesus had been alive when Socrates lived, I think they would have agreed on many things. Both came from families of stone-cutters and carpenters. Here are three philosophies for living they both believed in: 1. Humility was an important virtue to Socrates as it was to Jesus. 2. Behaving righteously and being conscious of right and wrong at all times was taught by both. Socrates promoted ethical philosophy and behaving ethically which was the way of Jesus.   3. Socrates like Jesus, prioritized truth over falsehood and the pursuit of virtue over the pursuit of material wealth.

If they engage one another in heaven, wouldn’t it be interesting to listen in on their conversations? Throughout history, Christians have been striving to be virtuous and humble. During Lent we are called to draw near to God through fasting, prayer, and reading the Word of God. Especially during the Lenten season we are encouraged to examine our lives to assess where we have sinned or need improvement, and to be aware of God working in and through our lives.

This Psalm 103 of David is a favorite of mine. These memorable words are wonderful to memorize and meditate on during lent. They are very reassuring of God’s loving care and forgiveness: “Bless the Lord Oh my soul and all that is within me bless God’s holy name. Bless the Lord Oh my soul and forget not all his benefits”….And there are many benefits listed! I love the way it says God redeems your life from the Pit, and satisfies you with good as long as you live^* so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

That image of flying like an eagle is especially uplifting, isn’t it? Humans have revered these birds since the ancient times. I was at a Temple reconstructed in Turkey at Sardis. It was the temple built for the Goddess Diana. There was an enormous marble table with two huge eagles supporting it on each side. It was a table like our communion table but made of marble.

This psalm goes on to promise that: “The Lord works vindication and justice for all who are oppressed. And reminds us that: The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.” 

Abounding in steadfast love. That steadfast love of God does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. "God removes our transgressions from us. As a parent has compassion for their children so the Lord has compassion for us. For God knows how we were made and remembers that we are dust."

Take a moment. Examine your life. What obstacle do you place in the way of the Holy Spirit or "sin" do you need to let go of, in order to truly accept God’s embrace of steadfast love and compassion?

(Postscript: After writing the homily above, I found this: "Percy Bysshe Shelley refers to Socrates as “the Jesus Christ of Greece.” See this website: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/socrates/)