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| Saturday, March 01, 2008 |
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The Things They Do In Church
By webmaster @ 7:00 AM :: 193 Views ::
1 Comments :: Nina Frost
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One thing on my heart this week is the situation a dear friend finds himself in: A supremely gifted priest, he is much beloved at a wealthy suburban parish, beloved in part because of his extraordinary pastoral skills, genuine faith, and a rare teaching ability that makes religion come alive and be real for people.
That, and the fact that he is progressive, “liberal,” inclusive, and a bit of a prophet. Like Jesus, he believes in “Come unto me all…” Not some, or folks just like us. All.
Sounds like good church, and it is. But a small, angry group does not want to see their church morph from country club to something actually resembling the beloved community we are all called to manifest. So they are doing every ugly thing you can imagine to run him out of town. Yes, the things they do in church. He’s standing firm, not clinging, but the toll of this onslaught would be huge for anyone. Discernment, i.e., where does God’s desires meet his in this situation, is a complex question and requires daily inquiry.
I wish this were less common than it is. Churches should be places where questions can blow us wide open, shake our foundations, and foster change. The writer Annie Dillard has a wonderful quote where she says, in effect, that churches should issue crash helmets, and strap people in the pews—the churches that truly preach and model the power of God to change lives.
Yet when someone comes along who can actually channel this energy, and in a healthy way, with ego in check, a small group turns on him, fearful, narrow, and wanting to stay small. Yes, this type of “fundamentalism” is a way to manage anxiety, the fear of change. In my more conscious moments, I try to look at my own places of fearful fundamentalism, and not just point the fingers outward.
My friend is having a Lent he never imagined, having to minister to many upset by the situation, and be in a type of ongoing war every day. I ask your prayers for him, and for anyone who is being Jesus in the world—what we are all called to do—and paying the price.
This is a story that is happening now, in families, corporations, governments, churches. I rejoice that Marble has for years been a place of inclusion and celebration of all. In the meantime, there is much to be done to spread that open-heartedness. Where can you be someone who passes it on? |
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| Comments |
 By
Bflood27 @
Sunday, March 02, 2008 8:41 PM
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I feel I am contributing to "open mindedness" by being an "out" Christian in my cast. Most of them are agnostic at best, so I have something to start with. I find a lot of negative emotions get stirred when I say I cannot go to breakfast because I am watching marble online. People think I am prosthelitizing just by my mentioning the word Church. However just yesterday a member of my cast asked for the web address so she could "check out" this church I speak of. It seems your light can even shine dimly and gather attention. I also see the tide turning when I let people know Marble welcomes people with brains and questions. Who knows what this dialouge will bring to a fellow cast members life!
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Welcome to MarbleTalks, a weblog published by the ministers and staff of Marble Collegiate Church. If you're unfamiliar with blogs, this short primer will help get you up to speed.
What is a Blog?
MarbleTalks provides a forum for each of our ministers and various staff members to share their thoughts, questions, and experiences with our faith community. Contributors to the blog will use a wide variety of sources for inspiration, and may share those sources when possible. Blogs are built around the active participation of their readers, and will commonly encourage you to take action in your life and the world around you.
Publishing Schedule:
| Sun. |
Dr. Caliandro |
| Mon. |
Sister Carol Perry |
| Tues. |
Dr. Lutz |
| Wed. |
Rev. Funderburke |
| Thur. |
Rev. Jordan |
| Fri. |
Rev. Lewicki |
| Sat. |
Nina Frost |
| Sat. |
Dr. Killinger |
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New articles will go up every day, and we hope you'll check in regularly. The seven most recent posts are displayed on this main page. Each article contains a short description and a link to read the full text. If you'd like to go back and read previous entries you missed, click on the "Categories" link at the top of the page and then select the author you're interested in. We don't delete old articles, so you'll be able to come back anytime and re-read the ones that speak to you in significant ways.
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