Any slow and plodding contemplation of Jesus first seeing the face of Judas Iscariot places a cold heaviness upon the hearts of all good people.
May this sorrowful Savior on this immortal night of betrayal have mercy on us who share such feelings.
Colossians 3:3 "For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
maunday Thursday
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Pastor Ronnie Floyd: Winning Is Everything
Last night, on UNC-TV I watched Frontline's story "Football High" about high school football. During the program, a familiar face popped up on the screen. Someone in the room said, "He has a look like Kenneth Copeland!" The face was that of Fundamentalist Ronnie Floyd, an SBC elite superstar. Of course, my attention was riveted to learn what he might be doing on this program about High School Football! After a few shocking minutes, the show raised for me some critical moral questions about the way clergy should treat people's children.
Pastor Floyd, leader of several Arkansas megachurches and past SBC executive, and sponsor of the Great Commission Resurgence adopted last year, is portrayed by Frontline's video as the hands-on number one cheerleader for his Baptist megachurch school's team, the Christian Saints. I was surprised to learn that Floyd's own son was the best head coach available to this well-financed football factory. Reading between the lines, I saw a hyper-serious football program for children that is very heavily financed (more than your regular high school!) and exists for the gratification of alpha dog egos in a feedback loop closed society. Why does a team with a roster of 30 need with 6 full time coaches? Sanity please.
Let me just say that there are moral questions here about the exploitation of children by clergy. In our times (why more than others?) clergy need to be very careful about how they allow the children under their influence to be treated. We would expect clergy to have the highest concern, and to discourage coercion and manipulation of younger souls, and try and prevent abuses that cause long lasting harm. In high school football individual choice and parental consent play major roles, but even these are likely muted voices in the echo chamber of Church-School-Football-Fundamentalism that I observed in the program.
Are there not crucial moral questions here? I think Pastor Floyd needs to re-think (using self-criticism) his quest for some ultimate football prize. If he and others with his power and money want this kind of thrill, and pull out all the stops to get it, why say that it is a result of "God's favor?" (Yes, he said that.) Is it more likely that it is the result of God's people's money, combined with a moral deafness to the best interests of school children? Perhaps they should buy a grown up football team, like other grown ups do.
Shouldn't we expect higher moral standards from our Baptist leaders? With this type of influence and financing comes higher responsibility! Amen!
If childrens' football has the dangerous potential shown by Frontline, then a radical re-evaluation of the sport is in order. Of course this raises other moral questions about freedom and government control, etc. But, hey, even the NFL and NCAA have some rules! Apparently these types of renegade high school programs have freedoms they don't deserve, and children are paying the price.
Pastor Floyd, winning isn't everything. For parents, our children almost are everything! Football is a game!
Pastor Floyd, leader of several Arkansas megachurches and past SBC executive, and sponsor of the Great Commission Resurgence adopted last year, is portrayed by Frontline's video as the hands-on number one cheerleader for his Baptist megachurch school's team, the Christian Saints. I was surprised to learn that Floyd's own son was the best head coach available to this well-financed football factory. Reading between the lines, I saw a hyper-serious football program for children that is very heavily financed (more than your regular high school!) and exists for the gratification of alpha dog egos in a feedback loop closed society. Why does a team with a roster of 30 need with 6 full time coaches? Sanity please.
Let me just say that there are moral questions here about the exploitation of children by clergy. In our times (why more than others?) clergy need to be very careful about how they allow the children under their influence to be treated. We would expect clergy to have the highest concern, and to discourage coercion and manipulation of younger souls, and try and prevent abuses that cause long lasting harm. In high school football individual choice and parental consent play major roles, but even these are likely muted voices in the echo chamber of Church-School-Football-Fundamentalism that I observed in the program.
Are there not crucial moral questions here? I think Pastor Floyd needs to re-think (using self-criticism) his quest for some ultimate football prize. If he and others with his power and money want this kind of thrill, and pull out all the stops to get it, why say that it is a result of "God's favor?" (Yes, he said that.) Is it more likely that it is the result of God's people's money, combined with a moral deafness to the best interests of school children? Perhaps they should buy a grown up football team, like other grown ups do.
Shouldn't we expect higher moral standards from our Baptist leaders? With this type of influence and financing comes higher responsibility! Amen!
If childrens' football has the dangerous potential shown by Frontline, then a radical re-evaluation of the sport is in order. Of course this raises other moral questions about freedom and government control, etc. But, hey, even the NFL and NCAA have some rules! Apparently these types of renegade high school programs have freedoms they don't deserve, and children are paying the price.
Pastor Floyd, winning isn't everything. For parents, our children almost are everything! Football is a game!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Is the Bible Too Complicated for You?
I had a friend one time say, "Why can't I just believe it?" Perhaps they were saying they wanted to have faith in God through the Bible. I wish. What they were most likely saying was "Why do I have to understand what is in a particular passage and struggle to apply it in a valid way?"
We want to wear armbands and wave flags. The Bible is one of them. "I believe the Bible" has been a cover that enables unscrupulous people to shut down further inquiry from those who would make them accountable.
Christians have to be more responsible, more enlightened, and yes, less simplistic. Many a Pastor has been matched with an unsuitable church by smiling real big and saying, "I have Jesus in my heart." No further inquiry necessary.
I challenge people to remember that they aren't the first ones to read the Bible. They aren't the first human in history to ask any particular question of the Bible. And, they aren't the first one to answer the question arising from the reading. Humility is in order, and lots of it.
Below is a link to an article that may challenge your preconceived notions about interpreting Scripture.
3 Wrong Ways to Read the Bible
Read for inspiration and embrace Truth!
We want to wear armbands and wave flags. The Bible is one of them. "I believe the Bible" has been a cover that enables unscrupulous people to shut down further inquiry from those who would make them accountable.
Christians have to be more responsible, more enlightened, and yes, less simplistic. Many a Pastor has been matched with an unsuitable church by smiling real big and saying, "I have Jesus in my heart." No further inquiry necessary.
I challenge people to remember that they aren't the first ones to read the Bible. They aren't the first human in history to ask any particular question of the Bible. And, they aren't the first one to answer the question arising from the reading. Humility is in order, and lots of it.
Below is a link to an article that may challenge your preconceived notions about interpreting Scripture.
3 Wrong Ways to Read the Bible
Read for inspiration and embrace Truth!
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Watch Your Language
So a sign outside a church says, "Mine Eyes are Forever Towards the Lord." For many people, under the age of 30, this might be a mystery. They might drive past and think to themselves, "What are mine eyes? Are these optical spheres which explode when stepped upon? Are these some weapon, that upon immediate observation appear to be eyeballs in the sand? And what of 'towards the Lord'? Does this mean that such devices are strewn about on the way to the Lord?" That doesn't seem like good news.
Such imaginative difficulties are not too far off from actual ones. Inquisitive people are put off quite often by this type of religious language. Why then would people use it?
I can only think it is proper to do so for historical reasons in contexts in which the historical could be appreciated. To do otherwise might serve only to create distance, profoundly unnecessary distance, between one person and another.
To whom does language belong? Is it only the author or speaker? Or is meaning shared by means of linguistic signs that are mutually understood? It seems to me that if we want to truly communicate, we might want to consider our language, our terminology, our Christianeze way of communicating that others may actually not understand.
Even if we say something nice, we might say it in a way that encourages others to stop listening. As the wise DJ says, "Be yourself so you don't have to be by yourself."
Such imaginative difficulties are not too far off from actual ones. Inquisitive people are put off quite often by this type of religious language. Why then would people use it?
I can only think it is proper to do so for historical reasons in contexts in which the historical could be appreciated. To do otherwise might serve only to create distance, profoundly unnecessary distance, between one person and another.
To whom does language belong? Is it only the author or speaker? Or is meaning shared by means of linguistic signs that are mutually understood? It seems to me that if we want to truly communicate, we might want to consider our language, our terminology, our Christianeze way of communicating that others may actually not understand.
Even if we say something nice, we might say it in a way that encourages others to stop listening. As the wise DJ says, "Be yourself so you don't have to be by yourself."
Sunday, March 27, 2011
KFC: The Best of Sunday
The new KFC commercial jumped out at me during the games. It goes something like this: They saved the best for Sundays: the best games, the best sleeping late, the best shopping, the best food. So, KFC fits in perfectly for your Sunday menu.
So, aside from being a transparent attempt to cash in on Chic-Fil-A being closed on Sundays, the commercial has a glaring omission: The best Christian worship!Or, the Best Family time in Church! Or, the most spiritual day for Christians! Or anything like that could have been included and been true for a vast number of practicing Christians (who are also steroid chicken munchers watching the NCAA Men's B-Ball Tourney).
I noticed that there were no scenes depicting anyone entering or exiting a church building of any type. At least they could have shown a family happily exiting, shaking off their captivity, and diving full speed for KFC! (Believe me, I have experience seeing this type of thing.)
The really odd thing is the punchline in the ad: TGIS- as in, you got it, thank God it's Sunday! So, after leaving God out of Sunday, we all just thank God for it?
As I said today during the message, worship is something for which we were built. I think we are longing to worship in spirit and truth from some place deep within. It is just sad that this natural impulse hasn't translated very much into what people experience in church. Again the classic clash between religion and spirituality. Or is it just laziness? *sigh*
Another consideration for advertisers might be what is the best of Friday- would a Muslim be ill if Friday prayers were not mentioned? Or how about the best of Saturday- does this sort of leave out the Jewish Sabbath? I mean, if you're gonna leave something out...
I guess Sundays are nice, and some of the "best" is saved for Sunday. But I have different reasons for this sentiment than KFC (the junk food formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken).
So, aside from being a transparent attempt to cash in on Chic-Fil-A being closed on Sundays, the commercial has a glaring omission: The best Christian worship!Or, the Best Family time in Church! Or, the most spiritual day for Christians! Or anything like that could have been included and been true for a vast number of practicing Christians (who are also steroid chicken munchers watching the NCAA Men's B-Ball Tourney).
I noticed that there were no scenes depicting anyone entering or exiting a church building of any type. At least they could have shown a family happily exiting, shaking off their captivity, and diving full speed for KFC! (Believe me, I have experience seeing this type of thing.)
The really odd thing is the punchline in the ad: TGIS- as in, you got it, thank God it's Sunday! So, after leaving God out of Sunday, we all just thank God for it?
As I said today during the message, worship is something for which we were built. I think we are longing to worship in spirit and truth from some place deep within. It is just sad that this natural impulse hasn't translated very much into what people experience in church. Again the classic clash between religion and spirituality. Or is it just laziness? *sigh*
Another consideration for advertisers might be what is the best of Friday- would a Muslim be ill if Friday prayers were not mentioned? Or how about the best of Saturday- does this sort of leave out the Jewish Sabbath? I mean, if you're gonna leave something out...
I guess Sundays are nice, and some of the "best" is saved for Sunday. But I have different reasons for this sentiment than KFC (the junk food formerly known as Kentucky Fried Chicken).
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Ash Wednesday and Lent: A Reality Check
Happy Lent! I hope your Tuesday was as "Phat" as mine! Those West Market Street UMC sausages were well done, just like I like 'em.
Upon us again is Ash Wednesday, a perfect occasion to call on folks to take stock of repentance. Of course, this is a concept in Christianity that requires humility and sobriety, so it may be out of fashion. Today we are used to regret and guilt, shame and anger & etc. I wonder sometimes if we can still repent.
Even worse, can a whole group of people, like a church, repent? Can they set aside the hubris and odd politics that "disables" many of them? Can they put aside their most preciously held beliefs and preconceived ideas and truly take stock? None of this is easy, but it is worth it.
Though difficult, I think Ash Wednesday, and Lent, should be at least an annual "reality check" for a congregation. Are we for real? Or are we Memorex? Or are we phonograph? Or telegraph? Or smoke signal?
Some good questions a thoughtful congregation (no matter how large or small) may ask are:
1- Are we reaching anyone with the good news, and how are we or why aren't we?
2- Are we holding our elected leaders, clergy, and church staff members accountable for the duties for which they've signed up? How do we start doing this or do this better?
3- Are we accountable to those who support the church financially? Or do we just spend the tithe and expect more?
4- What steps do we take to present ourselves to God as a spiritual church? Are we really sanctified?
5- In what ways have we lifted other priorities above unity in Christ? Are we only protecting those with visibly sensitive feelings? Or are we finishing the race?
At MSBC, we have to be realistic about what is being talked about for this spring. A lot of effort is going to be needed from everyone as we fulfill the vision for Magnolia Street Baptist Church. LUBIS is our acronym that helps us think of Loving God, Understanding Jesus, Belonging, Integrity, and Service. But if it is just an acronym, and just memory, then it is like "clanging brass, noisy crashing cymbal." I hope our crashing symbol is not the cross! "May God forbid!"
If we would put actions to most of our words, then we will have something even more attractive and transcendentally helpful to the community as 2011 progresses!
Ash Wednesday and Lent: a reality check? Let me know.
Happy b/c of Jesus,
Pastor James
Upon us again is Ash Wednesday, a perfect occasion to call on folks to take stock of repentance. Of course, this is a concept in Christianity that requires humility and sobriety, so it may be out of fashion. Today we are used to regret and guilt, shame and anger & etc. I wonder sometimes if we can still repent.
Even worse, can a whole group of people, like a church, repent? Can they set aside the hubris and odd politics that "disables" many of them? Can they put aside their most preciously held beliefs and preconceived ideas and truly take stock? None of this is easy, but it is worth it.
Though difficult, I think Ash Wednesday, and Lent, should be at least an annual "reality check" for a congregation. Are we for real? Or are we Memorex? Or are we phonograph? Or telegraph? Or smoke signal?
Some good questions a thoughtful congregation (no matter how large or small) may ask are:
1- Are we reaching anyone with the good news, and how are we or why aren't we?
2- Are we holding our elected leaders, clergy, and church staff members accountable for the duties for which they've signed up? How do we start doing this or do this better?
3- Are we accountable to those who support the church financially? Or do we just spend the tithe and expect more?
4- What steps do we take to present ourselves to God as a spiritual church? Are we really sanctified?
5- In what ways have we lifted other priorities above unity in Christ? Are we only protecting those with visibly sensitive feelings? Or are we finishing the race?
At MSBC, we have to be realistic about what is being talked about for this spring. A lot of effort is going to be needed from everyone as we fulfill the vision for Magnolia Street Baptist Church. LUBIS is our acronym that helps us think of Loving God, Understanding Jesus, Belonging, Integrity, and Service. But if it is just an acronym, and just memory, then it is like "clanging brass, noisy crashing cymbal." I hope our crashing symbol is not the cross! "May God forbid!"
If we would put actions to most of our words, then we will have something even more attractive and transcendentally helpful to the community as 2011 progresses!
Ash Wednesday and Lent: a reality check? Let me know.
Happy b/c of Jesus,
Pastor James
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