the church geek

The following is a bit of personal news for my “Meaty Monday” post:

For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:15-16

Did you ever stop to think that adoption is one of the primary images in the scriptures for those who come to faith in Christ? The apostle Paul uses this metaphor to help us understand that when we come to faith, we are invited to become part of a much larger family of faith. We are made part of the family of God.

I’ve been thinking a lot about adoption lately. At the end of last year, Lori and I began giving serious thought and prayer to pursuing adopting a child internationally, as a way of raising our own family. For a variety of reasons we eventually settled on pursuing adoption from Ethiopia, a country located in East Africa.

Adoption is both a lengthy and expensive process. In May, we took part in a two day long pre-adoption seminar to learn more about the various issues and concerns related to adoption and just what exactly the process entails. Over the summer months we have been working with a social worker from our adoption agency to complete a home study.

The good news is that we have been “home study approved.” Part of our home study process, for us, entailed making a decision as to the age and number of children we would be willing to adopt. After a lot of thought and study, we finally settled on being open to adopt a young sibling group, with the possibility of perhaps adopting twins.

We are now beginning to prepare all the necessary documents that need to be submitted to Ethiopia. Following that comes a period of waiting for a referral that may last anywhere from 6 to 9 months, perhaps a bit longer. Once we receive a referral from the country, Lori and I will travel to Ethiopia to accept our new child(ren) into our family.

We are both excited and a little apprehensive about this very big step in our lives. While it is daunting to consider the prospect of parenting as a trans-cultural, trans-racial family, we also anticipate the various challenges, joys, and rewards that come as part of raising any family.

As I think about the process of adoption, I am encouraged by the words Actress Isabella Rosellini, who adopted a son who was part African-American, wrote in her autobiography:

In comparison to having a biological child…adoption carries the added dimension of connection not only to your own tribe but beyond, widening the scope of what constitutes love, ties, and family. It is a larger embrace.

I think that’s partly what the Apostle Paul was trying to say to us as well. When we are adopted by God into the community of faith our connection and identity moves beyond the family we grew up in. The circle of our family is widened to include connections beyond our own tribe, to include the embrace of the much larger and greater family of faith.

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It’s been a pretty crazy couple of weeks around here, so I’m afraid I don’t really have much to point you toward on this Wednesday Roundup. However, my wife is in Israel on a Pastor’s Renewal program. If you want to see some pictures and reflections from the trip head over to their trip blog.

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It is with great sadness that I write a post in memory of one of “the church geek’s” most faithful readers, Richard Johnston, who died on June 6th from severe head trauma sustained from an accident in his home.

Richard was an elder extraordinare at the church where my wife is a pastor, First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids. I got to know Richard personally when Lori and I asked him to help us sell Lori’s condo and to buy our first home together. I so much appreciated his patience, wisdom, sense of humor, and character as he carefully listened to us and helped us work through all the difficult decisions that come with buying and selling a home.

It was a time of great transition in our lives as I was preparing to settle in to start my first call at Knox Presbyterian Church and as Lori was serving her congregation in the midst of a transition in pastoral leadership. Richard always went beyond the call of duty, spending time with us beyond the business that needed to get done, listening to us, and helping us think through these changes in our life.

Whenever I ran into Richard, he always took the time to ask how things were going in my ministry at Knox and to encourage me in my work as a pastor. He often would comment about a post he had read or a picture I had posted on my blog. I always enjoyed my time and conversations spent with him.

Richard served the Presbytery of East Iowa in many different capacities, most recently as Moderator of the Presbytery. He and I were appointed to be two of East Iowa’s four commissioners to serve at this year’s General Assembly, and so it is with a heavy heart that I prepare to leave for that duty on Friday knowing that Richard will not be there to serve alongside us.

I thank God for the gift that Richard Johnston was to me and to so many others. He will be sorely missed by those who loved and cared for him.

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This week my current hometown, Cedar Rapids, has been affected by the most devastating river flooding in the history of the city. It’s far beyond anything that has ever been seen here and greater than what most imagined would happen. Other communities like Iowa City and Coralville are also currently experiencing flooding beyond anything they’ve experienced before.

One thing I’ve been hearing over and over again, on the radio, on the TV, in the newspaper, and by people just chatting about what has happened is this; “This is our Hurricane Katrina.” While damage is certainly beyond what people here could imagine, I absolutely object to this statement and to this comparison.

Folks, this is NOT our Hurricane Katrina. Why is that? Well, here are at least a couple of reasons:

1.) We have not had less than three days to convince an entire metropolitan area of over a million people that they need to move out of harm’s way before a hurricane passes, followed by a week of search and rescue operations over an entire urban area totally submerged in flood waters.

2.) We have not had a dozen hospitals, scores of nursing homes, a handful of housing projects, or thousands of people who because of a lack of resources and access to public transportation could not leave town before the levees broke.

3.) 90% of our city will not stew in flood waters for several weeks as we wait for the Army Corp of Engineers and others to try to figure out how to dam up breached levees before the water will even begin to recede from the area.

4.) Search and recovery efforts were not severely hampered by rioters and looters nor by others seizing the moment to create a situation of mayhem, nor were there significant political conflicts between city, state, and federal officials that got in the way.

While we are experiencing a disaster that is beyond comprehension to many of us here in Iowa, it is no where near the magnitude nor level of circumstance that makes a comparison to New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina anywhere close to appropriate.

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Earlier this week, I spent two days with the Dominican Sisters at Sinsinawa on a personal spiritual retreat. I didn’t have a lot on my agenda except to relax, read, and pray.

One book I took along with me and subsequently spent a whole day devouring was Sacred Rhythms by Ruth Haley Barton. I would highly recommend this book if you are looking for some encouragement on how to integrate various spiritual disciplines in your life. Barton’s book is winsome and engaging and by far the best book on the spiritual disciplines that I’ve encountered in a long time.

As a result of my time away and specifically in reflection on this book, here are a few reflections I’ve come away with:

1.) The intrusion of technology on my life has robbed me of significant quality time in other areas of my life. Because of an always on computer: I read less, I spend less time developing my spiritual life, and I spend less quality time in relationship with my wife. So I’ve come away realizing that I need to set limits: No computer time between 9PM and 9AM. Cull down the number of blogs I follow in my google reader. Close the laptop on the desk in my office more often. Check e-mail 2-3 times a day, not constantly. Make Sunday a sabbath day from the computer.

2.) I need to find ways to spend more time cultivating my spiritual life. There are two disciplines that Barton speaks of that seem especially appropriate for me at this time in my life. The first is the discipline of prayer, especially focusing in on the idea of breath prayer and also dedicating specific time each day I’m in the office to just sit in the sanctuary and pray. The second is the discipline of honoring the body, especially getting more serious about excercising three times a week and doing more reading/studying on the connection between the body and the spirit.

All in all it was a great retreat. Even though I initially felt guilty about spending the time away from the office and from my wife, it was time well spent and that will prove beneficial to me, to my wife, and to the church I serve. And, hopefully, I will feel less guilty about doing it again!

Now, I’m going to close the lid on this laptop and head into the sanctuary to spend a few moments in prayer before I spend the rest of my afternoon working on my sermon for Sunday.

Peace be with you.

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A quote from Henri Nouwen as found in the Advent/Christmas devotional book Watch for the Light:

The whole meaning of the Christian community lies in offering a space in which we wait for that which we have already seen. Christian community is the place where we keep the flame alive among us and take it seriously, so that it can grow and become stronger in us. In this way we can live with courage, trusting that there is a spiritual power in us that allows us to live in this world, without being seduced constantly by despair, loneliness, and darkness.

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A quote from Christoph Friedrich Blumhardt as found in the Advent/Christmas devotional book Watch for the Light:

The all important thing is to keep your eyes on what comes from God and to make way for it to come into being here on earth. If you always try to be heavenly and spiritually minded, you won’t understand the everyday work God has for you to do. But if you embrace what is to come from God, if you live for Christ’s coming in practical life, you will learn that divine things can be experienced here and now, things quite different from what our human brains can ever imagine.

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The National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program recently sponsored a Wilderness Photo Contest. I have one photo in the slide show:

Wilderness Contest

My particular photo entitled Psalm 1 came from my project 365 series. As part of the contest you were supposed to write something about how nature connects you to God. Here was my reflection:

The title of my photo is Psalm 1. The Psalm extols the blessedness of those who meditate on God’s laws saying they are like trees planted by streams of water. I find the opposite of this passage is true as well. As a pastor, I find it important every so often to get away from all the busyness of life and ministry just to spend some time in the natural world. Immersing myself among the trees and next to the waters makes it possible for me to be better rooted in God’s word.

And here was the photo:

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I was reminded that yesterday marked the 10th Anniversary of the death of Rich Mullins. A special thanks to Mark over at Jesus Manifesto for the reminder and for an opportunity to share my memories.

He also points to a good article on Rich Mullins commemorating his life and death at Relevant Magazine. Perhaps more than any other popular Christian figure, Rich Mullins was truly a hero in the faith for me.

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Today marks the 6th Anniversary of the terrorists attacks on Sept 11th.

On that morning, I had just completed a final examination session as part of my psychological evaluation for my entry into the ordination process in the PC(USA). Living in New Orleans, I was preparing to leave my job at Tulane University in order to head to seminary in Dubuque Iowa that coming January.

Following that session, I remember getting into my truck with the radio turned on to NPR when announcers broke in to say that it looked like an airplane had crashed into the World Trade Center. Driving over to the University, I then sat with a number of colleagues huddled around a TV watching as the report of those events turned more and more tragic. Later that day, we tried to get back to normal in the office, but it was hard not to surf the web to look for whatever information we could.

I remember one incident that I found truly pathetic: During lunch I headed over to one of the school cafeterias. As I was eating I could clearly sense that there was a feeling of panic and uneasiness. At one point someone, presumably a student, yelled out “There’s a bomb in here.” People went screaming and scrambling everywhere trying to get out of the building, while I just sat there eating my sandwich. I’m not sure how anyone would ever think that sort of thing was funny or how others would be that gullible and fearful.

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Well, I’ve been tagged by Mark Smith to tell you the “5 Things I Dig About Jesus.” So here it goes:

1.) Jesus is “Immanuel” or “God with Us.” Therefore, I know that no matter what happens to me in this life, Jesus is right there with me because he too shared my lot.

2.) Jesus taught us that the essence of the spiritual life is to “love God and to love others.” That teaching roots my spiritual life in the realities of this world and not just in the heavenly realm.

3.) Jesus enjoyed a good time, a good party, and sharing with people. One of my favorite parables is the extravagance of the wedding at Cana. Jesus often refers to the Kingdom of God as a party.

4.) Jesus spoke in language that most common ordinary folks could understand, something I could stand to work at a little more in my own preaching!

5.) Jesus is not dead, but rose from the grave to bring us new life!

So I guess it’s my turn to tag five folks who I hope will play along:
Dave Winner
Makeesha Fisher
Kairos
Dave Pepper
Brother Tom

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What does a “Church Geek” do on his vacation? He visits other churches, of course…

Over the past year or so, I’ve been immersing myself in the emergent conversation. One of the leaders in that conversation is Doug Pagitt, the pastor of Solomon’s Porch, a holistic, missional, Christian community that meets in the Twin Cities. Over the weekend, my wife and I made a trip up to Minneapolis, and on Sunday evening we took the time to pay a visit to one of their gatherings.

Solomon’s Porch meets in an old Methodist building. When we arrived we scoped out a couch to sit on since there are no pews in the sanctuary. All the pews have been replaced with couches that face the center of the room. In the center is a stool from which the primary leader sits when leading a part of the service.

The service that evening focused on raising awareness about the sex slave trade and exploring ways to join in with efforts to help abolish it. We watched a video that detailed three different stories of women and children who had been freed from such slavery. We also learned about an organization called “Not for Sale” that organizations can partner with to join in abolition efforts.

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ALLELUIA! CHRIST IS RISEN!

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God,
did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited,
but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave,
being born in human likeness.

And being found in human form, he humbled himself
and became obedient to the point of death
even death on a cross.

Therefore God also highly exalted him
and gave him the name that is above every name,
so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue should confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

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Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing."] And they cast lots to divide his clothing. And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

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When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us.” He replied, “If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I question you, you will not answer. But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” All of them asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?” He said to them, “You say that I am.” Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!”

Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. They began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.” Then Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He answered, “You say so.”

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” But they were insistent and said, “He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.” When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.

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