A Call for a Call

I have never been accused of being an activist. I never have a problem discussing my views on certain topics, but not necessarily to an activist-type threshold. However, after being involved with the United Methodist Church for nearly 10 years now, one thing concerns me. I'm not sure that we know where Methodists stand on certain issues. Let me caveat all this by saying this isn't unique to the church I belong to, but inherent in the 4 UMC churches Laura and I have attended since we were married.

I'm not sure that we as Methodists clearly understand where we stand on public, social, and theoligical issues. I fault two parties: the church and the congregations. The leaders of our churches own the responsibility to inform their members of the church's stance on these topics. Being all things to all people makes us nothing at all. Jesus said that we were either for Him or against Him and their was no middle ground. Why then are we afraid to use the pulpit to express how certain issues affect our faith, or rather how our faith affects these issues? I think partly, because of the economics of religion. No denomination can afford financially to lose members or donations. I believe that pastors aspiring to higher positions also plays a role in this. Finally, we have to acknowledge that we live in an environment where anyone can become offended at any given time. No one wants to wear the shroud of "Chief Offender." Pastors care about their congregations and don't want to risk stepping on people's toes, especially when it comes to relating social and public matters to faith. Understandably, social and theological issues that dominate the landscape today are difficult to navigate and often lead to know clearly defined answers. However, our church leaders should take charge and attempt to chart these waters for us. If they fail to, then we are left to discern for ourselves and often could lead to misinformed and compromising positions.

I also place responsibility on the congregations. We should be demanding to know how the leaders of our churches and our denominations feel led on these topics that affect us. We expect our political leaders to voice their opinions. But we don't do the same for our church leaders who have the education, knowledge, and experience to help us lay members understand them as they relate to our faith. Why? Apathy and contentment. We get accustomed to our little routines and involvement in our churches. We have our circle of friends, our Sunday School class and the worship service we attend. We may be involved in a few other activities, but by and large are not concerned with things outside our "realm." Additionally, when these issues are broached in a theological setting, many cower and claim that it doesn't affect them. It is for those more informed or higher up to decide. The problem is that without the members, there would be no higher up.

I do believe that a personal relationship with Christ, daily prayer and Bible reading is essential. To those who desire to seek answers, God will provide. I just don't understand how we can be members of an organization without knowing what we believe not just historically or foundationally, but on matters of today that affect the church and our society.

Peace

War is a terrible. How many times have we heard some semblance of that over the last couple of years. Of course, the devastating effects of combat and conflict are life altering and carry enormous consequences. But, the goal is peace and democracy. Our national political and military leaders daily sift through hordes of intelligence, assess our capabilities, and devise strategies to introduce peace into a geography that has long been unsettled. I'm no genius, but I think our first step is to understand what peace truly is.

As I am sure most of you know, our Sunday School class has been studying "Embracing the Love of God" by James Bryan Smith. This past week we read a chapter titled God's Care. In it Smith states that,"Peace is not the absence of strife, but the presence of Christ." How many celebrities have we read about who seemingly have it all? They bank millions per movie, run with the "it" crowd, have beautiful and successful families, but get caught up in drugs or fringe religious groups like Kabbala? They leave their spouse for a new beginning or someone else? Generally speaking, they have no strife, but lack peace.

Should we as a nation try and instill the virtues of Christ into the Middle East? I don't believe so. That is not the purpose of a government, especially one that represents a melting pot of faiths. Churches and Christians are called to take their faith into the world, not political entities. I do believe, however, that we should pray that our leaders find peace through Christ to guide their decision making processes. I pray that citizens of the arab world see Christ in others who will be frequenting their region for business, pleasure, missions, etc. and through them find the peace they long for.

We had a discussion in our youth group high school juniors class last Wednesday night about knowing which religion among the world is "right", especially since several of the predominant world religions branched off from the tribes of Abraham. Ultimately, I am confident in this. The scriptures in the Christian Bible have withstood intense scrutiny from every corner of this planet. Hundreds of prophecies foretold centuries before the birth of Christ were realized through Him. My God is not one of coincidence! As Bryan points out in referencing John 16:33, Jesus said,"In the world you face persecution. But take courage;I have conquered the world." I believe that our mission is not to "convert" others to Christ, contrary to many Christian denominations. In my opinion, it is our call to seek Christ and allow others to experience Him through us and find eternal peace.

Our next Picasso

Gracyn "borrowing" Mommy's makeup to look like a tiger