What we most need is prayer!

Notes from the Pastor...

The Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) begins with an affirmation of faith of the church throughout all ages; afterwards, we find these words:

Within the whole family of God on earth, the church appears wherever believers in Jesus Christ are gathered in his name.  Transcending all barriers within the human family such as race and culture … All dominion in the church belongs to Jesus Christ, its Lord and head, and any exercise of authority in the church on earth stands under his judgment.

These words are a powerful force in the narrative of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) tradition.  Through these words we promote a bold humility toward our beliefs and practice; knowing that the Church of Jesus Christ is found in varied structures, sizes, cultures, and disciplines.  Yet, like the disciples of old, we often dispute over “who is the greatest.” (Mark 9:34)  Jesus’ reaction to self-promotion is quite clear: “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)  It is difficult to look on someone whose values and beliefs about Jesus differ and say, “You are my brother; you are my sister in
Christ.”

In fact, it is so difficult that throughout history we have resorted to violence rather than mutual respect.  The segregated hour of Sunday between 10:00 and 11:00 am is not only limited to racial divisions. Likewise, we are segregated by generations, socioeconomics, and ideas.  In the midst of our divisive practice of denominational Christianity we are reminded that we are called to a bold humility; to be “servants of all”.
For you and I to be promoters and practitioners of Christian unity, what you and I need most is prayer!

Therefore, this Wednesday, please join with Christians around the world, who in different languages and traditions will pray for Christian Unity.  By way of joint venture, the World Council of Church and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity in the Catholic Church have selected 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 to guide our collective prayers.  Please join in!
Find out more at: www.oikoumene.org under: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Grace,
Pastor Ryan

If this is true...

Notes from the Pastor...

It is fascinating that you can look at the life of Moses and say that the burning bush story is not all that strange.  In case you haven’t read Old Testament narrative lately, I think those who follow Harry Potter or the Twilight series would find Exodus and Numbers equally entertaining.  There are supernatural plagues, the peaceful passing of a waterway with the pursuing army drowned, the healing of those who look on a serpent lifted on a stick, and miraculous feeding of a nation on food that appears from the sky.  Like I said, it is fascinating that Moses’ burning bush story is not all that strange.  In fact, if all things are relative, then Moses at the burning bush could be compared to you in your home in an intense moment of prayer.

Maybe if we humanized Moses, saw him as our mirrored image, then we would find immense value in the stories of Exodus and Numbers.  The burning bush then would become a potential narrative in any of our lives…
A discrete sheep rancher finds in nature a beautiful happening.  She notices something that others may simply pass by, and she walks toward it only to sense its inherent holiness.  In a moment of mental clarity, she removes her boots and kneels, and without expectation the beautiful happening momentarily reveals God.

Yes, that moment is possible.  Yes, that happening takes place in peoples lives; regardless of profession – somehow, someway the holy intersects the human.  Church Father Gregory of Nyssa, when commenting on Moses at the burning bush, tells his listeners that Moses’ posture, along with Divine revelation, are possible if “we are established in this peaceable, non-combative condition; [then] the truth will shine upon us, bringing light to the eyes of the soul with its own rays.”

If this is true, and I think it is, then what will be the result?  Will you, like Moses, arise from the momentary intersection of the human and the holy, and go out to your family, to your neighbors, to your community and participate in changing the world?

Grace,
Pastor Ryan

A wise one once said...

Notes from the Pastor...

On Sunday, January 1, 2012, I ended my sermon with a New Year’s hope for our congregation.  Emily Dickenson said, “Hope is a thing with feathers.”  Sometimes when we stand back and look at the state of the economy, of politics, of world affairs and the lack of humanitarian resources, it is easy to let go of hope; to avail ourselves to saturating despair.  Then again, when we engage with others, looking our neighbors in the eyes and listening to their story with our hearts, it becomes easy to hold to smaller  -- individual 
hopes of reconciliation, redemption, and relief.  

Twentieth century American poet Harry Kemp says, “The poor man is not he who is without a cent, but he who is without a dream.”  As I look into 2012, I find myself dreaming, but unlike childhood fantasies, my dreams are small and relationship oriented; they have feathers.  After all, someone much wiser than I once said, “We can do no big things, only small things that make a big difference in someone’s life.”  How will you make a difference in the life of your neighbor in 2012?  In 2012 how will you be Christ to your son, your daughter, your sister, your brother?  How will you engage in intentional, life-changing relationships in 2012?

My New Year’s hope for you comes from Luke 2:22-35 and it is that:

You would come to realize the true and ever-challenging identity of Jesus.  That your narrative would be formed by the heritage of the One who brings salvation to all peoples, the One who is the light of revelation, and the One who is the glory to his people; simply said:

In 2012 may a Sword pierce your soul too.


Grace,
Pastor Ryan