Monthly Archives: September 2010

Proper 19, Year C

Posted on by
Reply

September 12, 2010

Let’s set the scene. Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem. In the synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, Jesus’ ministry takes place first in Galilee, which is north of Jerusalem, and the territory of Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth. At some point in the narrative, Jesus switches from wandering around Galilee and begins a journey with a destination. He is on his way to Jerusalem. Luke says, “Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem.” As he goes, he teaches. Luke, following Mark and Matthew, puts much of Jesus’ teaching about discipleship, about what it means to be following him on this journey, in the context of this journey. Along the way, Luke also includes most of the parables that Jesus told.

Continue reading →

Church marketing and self-promotion

Posted on by
Reply

There’s a website I visit occasionally called churchmarketingsucks.com. It’s actually pretty insightful, if geared toward evangelicals and mega-church wannabes. But I wonder what their take is on the current controversies around the Ground Zero Church and the guy in Florida. It turns out the Ground Zero church had its first service this past Sunday. About fifty people were in attendance, at least half were members of the media. And the guy in Florida has about fifty in his congregation. But they’ve both gotten lots of attention. It may not result in “saved souls” but perhaps there are book deals in their future.

We live in a culture that prizes outrage–that’s what the political right has feasted on for years. We also live in a media culture and a twenty-four hour news cycle that requires product. Both of these pastors are appealing to that and both of them have gotten what they wanted. The question is not whether burning the Q’uran is wrong or inappropriate, or resorting to the tactics of Al Qaeda and the Taliban. He wanted to draw attention to himself and he got his wish. He’s also given progressive and moderate Christians something to be outraged about, and help them feel good about themselves by joining facebook pages that decry his actions.

The question for the rest of us is not how to protest the actions or beliefs of people like this. The question is how we can model a different kind of Christianity, that embraces diversity and expresses love to all.

Can Church be hip?

Posted on by
Reply

Andrew Sullivan’s blog, which is one of the best–most diverse, most challenging, wrestling with the important questions–recently asked “Can Church be hip?” Here’s the wrap on the lengthy conversation, which could have mirrored the worship wars, but instead raised interesting questions and had some hilarious moments. The underlying question of “authentic” v. “wannabe” raised by author Brett McCracken has presented itself in slightly different terms throughout the History of Christianity (one example the suspicion that faith healings are faked). Some of the responses in the thread are rather suspicious.

One suspects this video is tongue-in-cheek:

But then, this is pretty priceless, too:

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2010/09/can.html

Grace Church won’t be hip anytime soon; all we can hope for is being authentic and reaching people with our authenticity.

By the way, if you don’t know Sullivan’s blog, you should check it out. He’s provocative politically, religiously, and culturally. A gay Catholic in a lengthy relationship (now marriage), libertarian, former editor of the New Republic, supporter of Obama; he would identify himself as a Thatcherite conservative (he’s English). How’s that for some contradictions?

Proper 18 Year C: September 5, 2010

Posted on by
Reply

It used to be Labor Day marked the end of summer. Perhaps it still does, in a way, but things have changed. School is back in session, both for colleges and for elementary, middle school, and high school students. After a hot and humid summer, there’s a bit of fall in the air. But still, Labor Day gives us another day to enjoy a little bit of summer. Many people are away this weekend, relishing another weekend on the lake or in the mountains. Others of us have plans for cook-outs and other get-togethers. And around us today is once again the Taste of Madison. Continue reading →

Another article on homelessness in downtown Madison

Posted on by
Reply

A discussion of what seems to be a significant problem on Capitol Square. I’ve been noticing it all summer, perhaps because the bus shelters aren’t being used due to the construction and re-routing. Every time I walk downtown, there are groups of homeless people sitting on the benches, camped out in the bus shelters, and the like. I’ve heard some complaints from local business people, and I’m sympathetic to them. It’s hard to attract customers to your business when they have to pass through a gauntlet of men and women to get there. The article seems to suggest that the police are lenient because they don’t want these people to move out into the neighborhoods or parks.

It’s one thing to walk around the square, it’s quite another to try to get into the public library. In all the time I spend on the square, I never see anyone, police or social services, engaging the men and women who sit around on the benches or on the library steps. Does anyone reach out to them, find out what’s going on, try to connect them with the services that might help them escape this life?

In my experience, the business women and men on the square are patient, understanding, and interested in helping to find solutions to homelessness that would provide shelter and services.