Keeping it Real

I recently had the privilege and joy of celebrating my son's wedding to the love of his life. It was the first time in many years that our family was all together in one place, complete with grandkids and our dear neighbor who has been as part of the family since we moved to Casey County.  This is real.  It is not a story in your feed.  What do I mean?  Many today are so engrossed with their social networks, in their presentation of themselves, or rather the image of themselves that they want to present, that they miss out on the truly good, and real things in life: Family, brothers, sisters, neighbors, friends.  These are the true riches of life, and moments like these cannot be experienced from the comfort of your living room, or office.  These are the things that matter, things that cannot be artificially generated or virtually experienced.

People used to say things like, "How can you afford having 10 children?  Of course they don't say it much anymore because we only have 3 left at home.  By the Grace of God I guess. No we didn't drive new cars, or live in a fancy house with lots of nice things.  We kept the thrift stores in business. We didn't go out to eat much. We cooked meals from scratch rather than out of a box. We worked hard.  We still work hard. We do so willingly because we know what we are working for.  The payoff is way better than a 6 figure income.

I think what many people don't get is that life is not about your career, or job, or the number of "likes" and followers.  We embark on careers, we work jobs, in order to sustain our family and not the other way around. Your family, your real, face to face, human relationships with your spouse and children, your neighbors, your church family, these matter.  These bring Christ Jesus to us. We love and serve Christ in as much as we love and serve them.  Then, when our eyes are fully open, and our vision clear, we see Jesus in them, and we catch a glimpse of eternity.

Everything Changes

I am sitting here for the first time in several years. No excuses. Things change. Since my election as Father General of The Missionaries of St. John, I realize how much "free time" I actually had before. I realize what a blessing it is to lead the simple life of a Priest and Cabinetmaker. Much has changed over the past several years, most of it is not especially noteworthy, but considered all together the changes have been profound. Six of my children are now grown. That only leaves four children at home. Already the house seems so empty. We started building our house in 2016, and have finished it enough to live in it. We continue to plug away at our church house as well, adding more woodwork, and stained glass.

This fall, I have started helping to teach in our home school. It has been an enjoyable and pleasant change for me, however I still have a couple contracts in the shop that I need to keep working on. Consequently, I am teaching school in the morning and early afternoon, and working in the shop late afternoon into early evening. The beauty is that teaching affords me a little bit more office time than I had before, ergo here I am trying to update my blog...

There is great wisdom in the words of St. Paul, "...One thing I do, forgetting what lies behind, and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Phil. 3:13b-14. A glance over our shoulders at our history is not necessarily a bad thing. It's good to remember where we came from and lessons learned. But too much backward looking will lead us astray. The older I get, I have a growing number of grand memories. I didn't have these 30 years ago. All I had was in front of me. But I do not live my life trying to make grand memories. Rather, I strive to live each day well, and to do the next good thing. I want to be faithful in the little things of life without much thought to the consequences. The result? Grand memories.

But what does the future hold? God knows. That is all I need to know. I want to know Christ, really know him, in the power of his resurrection, the fellowship of his suffering, and becoming like him in his death. (Phil 3:10) the pathway that leads to Christ lies in front of me. Not in some lofty esoteric vision, but in the tasks at hand, the mundane and excruciatingly ordinary bump and grind of life. But it is the objective that transforms such ordinary tasks as building cabinets, keeping chickens, teaching children their times tables, washing dishes, celebrating Mass and the daily office etc, into the sacred. Yes indeed. "Spiritual" activities like Mass and praying the Office, Scripture reading and morning devotions, even compassionate ministries, are and remain ordinary and mundane tasks until we recognize that these are not the end or goal, but steps on a journey to know Christ. Everything changes, except our goal, and by the Grace of Christ, our destiny.

The Missionaries of St. John

It has been nearly a year since I last posted. I don't really have a good excuse other than my own personal quirks. It is an uncomfortable thing for to share thoughts, and experiences with an unknown audience. My life experiences, and ruminations,seem much too ordinary, and hardly noteworthy most of the time. This is, in fact, one of the places where my introversion becomes evident. But as a Priest, and pastor there are times, when it is needful to put aside my personal preferences. I am growing used to it. This is one of those times.

This past year I was named Father General, that is, the head of the Missionaries of St. John. The Missionary Society of St. John, is the religious society that I have been part of since its founding in 2006. The Society is very dear to my heart, and has been the source of strength and inspiration for me and my mission since the day I made my vows. I am honored to serve my dear brothers and sisters in this capacity. I pray that by God's grace I may faithfully discharge the duties entrusted to me.

But what is the Missionary Society of St. John? Who are they, besides a link on my blog to the casual reader? I dare say that one would be hard pressed to find out much about the MSJ even doing a google search. No it is not a secret club. Our hidden-ness is not intentional, but the result of other priorities. We are not interested in building an empire. We are not trying to make a name for ourselves. We eschew any notion of entrepeneurial religion. We are simply missionaries, dedicated to sharing the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and make disciples of Him. Success for us is not growing the Religious Society, but advancing the Kingdom of God. It is a unique Charism that we share, and the Holy Spirit is the Giver of such gifts and callings. We recognize fully that all Christians do not share this Charism. However, for those who think they might share this calling and would like to know more, or for those who just want to be assured that I am not the leader of some new cult, or sect, I have attempted a synopsis of the MSJ:

Founded The Feast of St. Nicholas, 2006

Constituted, Rule of Life written 2009

Synopsis:
The Missionary Society of St. John the Evangelist is composed of men and women, lay and clergy, united by the divine call to gospel mission, catholic unity, and life according to a shared Rule. This call is expressed by approaching ministry with the zeal characteristic of missionaries to foreign lands: living, working, worshipping and serving among the people they are reaching out to. While outside financial support is welcome, if necessary, the Missionaries of St. John are content to serve at their own expense, in the footsteps of St. Paul, not wanting to be a burden to the people, nor allowing the advance of the Kingdom of God to be restrained or thwarted by the power of Mammon. Ministry is a calling not a career, flowing our of who we are as Missionaries, rather than the need to earn a living.

Missionaries of St. John derive their strength for such difficult service through the close knit brotherhood of the Society. The Society functions to support, encourage, affirm, nurture and equip missionaries in their individual and corporate work. It provides a familial safety net of men and women who understand and share similar challenges. The unity of the Society is intentional not coincidental, rooted in a bond Christian love that transcends differences of political structures. We are Missionaries of St. John, serving in Anglican, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, or other catholic contexts. While the Society is Anglo-Catholic in tradition, membership in the society is open to all catholic Christians who share this unique charism.
The MSJ is resident in the Missionary Diocese of All Saints, and under the Episcopal Protection of the Rt. Rev. Alberto Morales OSB, Diocese of Quincy, ACNA.


Ministries of the MSJ

There are over 50 vowed members serving in 5 Chapters of the MSJ: Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Texas, with on-going work in the Diocese of Lake Victoria Nyanza, in Tanzania. The work of Missionaries of St. John takes many shapes.

Parish Ministries: MSJs who fulfill their mission as active participants in established parishes, adding strength, and bringing their missionary consciousness to everyday parish and community life.

Community Ministries: MSJs serve in intentional MSJ communities or houses for the purpose of serving the needs of compassion and evangelization in a specific locale.

Interior Ministries: MSJs whose mission is prayer for the Society, the Church and the World, and/or operate Retreat Houses for the MSJ, and others who need rest and “re-creation” for their work as missionaries.

Compassionate Ministries: MSJs who serve as solitary individuals, a particular need, such as hospice chaplains, prison chaplains, underground ministries in public contexts, nurses, teachers etc.

Educational/formational Ministries: MSJs who work in teaching, spiritual formation or direction, or as a support to other teaching or formational ministries.

Vocational Ministries: MSJs who bring the missionary charism to bear in their work place. Every workplace is its own mission field. Vocational missionaries, strive to be salt and light in their own “secular” vocation, and participate in the life of the local parish or community. Every lay person, and many clergy of the MSJ are called to be vocational missionaries.

Pray and Work

Ora et labora It comes from the Rule of St. Benedict, which he wrote as precepts to govern his monastic houses in the 6th century. Back in November, through a discussion I was having with my Father General, The Rt. Rev. Frederick Fick, MSJ., I learned what this maxim meant.

I used to think of it as a sort of motto. Colleges have mottoes."To seek to learn is to seek to serve," "The whole Bible for the Whole world." Businesses have mottos, Those catchy phrases that bring to mind their product or service. Sometime even churches have them, I used to think of ora et labora in that way. I wonder what St. Benedict was selling? What was he promoting? Can you imagine the protestant reformers proclaiming, "Ora et Labora!" instead of Sola Scriptura? The truth is that to us moderns (or post moderns) it doesn't sound very spiritual--well, maybe half. It's hard for us to distance ourselves from the materialism of our age. Religion has become an exclusively spiritual matter. What does work have to do with it?

Ever since the Garden of Eden, humanity's understanding of work has been darkened. It has become for us a "four letter word." We see only the curse of it, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread," and forget that before the fall Adam and Eve had work to do. Work is viewed as a necessary evil which most of us work hard to get out of. People spend most of their life, working hard and long, saving, investing, and planning so that when they reach a magic age, they will be able to retire. Some of us buy lottery tickets in hopes of graduating early. We even think of heaven sometimes in this way. When we get there we won't have to work any more. It will be like an eternal church service.

In thinking this way, we miss an important truth that St. Benedict was teaching, namely that work is an important part of spirituality. God created us that way. Over the years I have written many things reflecting on my life as a bi-vocational pastor. I have tried to be positive, but it was also a frustration. But after 21 years, if I had the opportunity to be "full-time" pastor, I would still find something to do with my hands, I would probably keep doing woodwork, in my spare time. What I came to realize this past fall, is that I'm really not bi-vocational after all. I am a full time pastor, who is also a woodworker. My work is also my service, my prayer. I have always been a Benedictine in my heart, even when I had other ideas of what I thought I should be doing. Most of my ideas came from traditional images of Pastoral ministry. I am not and have never been a traditional pastor.

Not only was I not understanding my own gifting, I was in reality neglecting, or even rejecting the gifts that God had given. I had thought that I would be a better parish priest if I didn't work an "outside" job. I would have lots of time to read heady books and write thoughtful and inspiring blog posts...I realize now that for some people that might be true. In my case it would not. By my work, I keep my feet firmly planted in the world where my parishioners

live. What I have learned is that there is a huge chasm affixed between the blue collar worker and the Gnostic spirituality of our day. The spirituality that says, "If you really want to be a good disciple, you have to pray and study the bible for hours a day, keep a journal, and attend church every time there is a service, and have a home bible study once a week--and don't forget service projects." By implication, a poor or lower middle class laborer who works 50-70 hrs per week, just to eek out his "hand to mouth" living, will never be as good a disciple of Jesus as the more privileged. St. Benedict's axiom reveals this for the myth that it is. We work, and we pray.

It has taken me 20 years but I am beginning to get it. It's humbling. It is also an incredible relief to know that I can be who I am, and, that God gave me the charism and the skill set I have, in full accordance with His purpose. With this realization my whole life comes into focus. It all makes sense. It doesn't mean that I don't have improvements to make. What it does mean is that God has given me everything necessary to be the best "me" possible. Work does not hinder the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit; work becomes the context of our sanctification. There is no dishonor, no shame in being a worker priest, rather I stand within a long line of worker priests and saints, who have had Ora et labora as their motto.

Home Schooling Idiosyncrasies

As an advocate and participant in "home eduction," I have to confess that the movement as a whole is fraught with pockets of weird-ness. To some, the whole movement is weird because they don't just send their kids to school like everyone else. Of course everyone knows, that the government's Department of Education, is full of the experts on education. What can parents possibly know about teaching children... (Yawn). That's not the weirdness I am talking about. I'm talking about within the movement itself- like those, who make the bold move to home school and then pattern everything they do after the public school model and then fill their every waking moment with participation in home school co-ops and support groups, organized sports and private lessons. Or those who pride themselves in the high quality of education their children are receiving, and parade their children about as trophies of their success. "Li'l Jim, potty trained at 9 months, and learned to read the following summer. He's now taking college courses on-line at the age of 7." As a parent I totally understand being proud of our children and their accomplishments. There are points at which such boasting helps to make the argument for the viability of home schooling against its detractors, but among the home schooling crowd this is just weird. The thing that really wearies me is that so many Christian home-educators are so woefully ignorant of the Christian faith, and the history of the Church. And as if that were not enough, they are content to remain in such ignorance. It's as if they would say, " We love Jesus, and worship him, but really have no interest in learning more about Him." It really doesn't matter to them that Christ founded his Church almost 2000 years ago, and that we in the 21st century are at the end of a long line of people who lived and died for Him, preserving and handing on the faith "that was once for all delivered to the Saints." (Jude 3) Furthermore there may be generations to come that depend on our preserving and passing on the very same Faith. In studying history, we learn that the best sources are primary sources, eye witnesses to the events. All secondary sources, are limited by the bias of the writer. Yet how many Christian home schoolers, have ever read any of the Apostolic fathers (the first generation of Christian leaders after the apostles)? Do they even know that there are volumes and volumes written by Christians in every age past? Or do they teach their children the christian faith, based entirely modern writers, or worse, their own personal interpretation of the Scriptures? This is a problem. Not because it means they are not sincere or earnest in their faith, but because it creates a dysfunctional witness to Christ and his Kingdom. Such inattentiveness to the most important events in human history is scandalous to the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As people, living out our lives as Christians, should we not give as much attention to learning and teaching our Faith as we do to mathematics, literacy, history and science? Just sayin... The Truth matters.

Ok. I recognize that I might have offended someone by what I have said. But look at the bright side, as long as I don't know who I have offended, I won't know you were one of the "weird" home schoolers I was talking about. :-)

Anglican AND Catholic

I have to admit that when Pope Benedict announced the establishment of Anglican Ordinariates I was excited. After all, the Anglican Communion has her issues. However, as time went on and more information was released about how these ordinariates would be ordered, my hope faded. You see, I was under the naive impression that this action as aiming at restored communion between Anglicans and Romans. As it turns out, the Ordinariate seems to be just an expansion of the Pastoral provision that was already in place. Now, with the announcement of the U.S. Ordinariate, Anglo-Catholics have an opportunity. For what? Conversion. Every time I read the word in this context, my heart sinks. And it seemed like we were so close to genuine unity. I understand that there are a number of congregations and clergy who are accepting this "opportunity." So to answer the question before it is asked, no, I will not be one of them.

So how did this happen? How could we seem so close to unity and then flinch, and step back to the "safety" of the status quo? I cannot answer for Rome, But I can answer for myself, and probably many Anglican brothers and sisters. Anglo-Catholics, such as myself, are not "wanna be" Roman Catholics. We are Anglican Catholics. We desire unity in the Body of Christ as Anglicans. If we really believed that the Rome Catholic church was the ONLY true expression of the Church, we would have had opportunity to "convert" a long time ago. However, to "convert" would demand a level of dishonesty that I cannot tolerate. It's as if we are to say, "Well let's pretend my confirmation, my ordination, and every mass I ever said, every absolution I ever pronounced, was invalid. Oh, and by the way, I'll be allowed to keep my wife, but I really shouldn't have married, it was a mistake." Seriously? Unity at the cost of integrity? No, Thank you.

Sadly, it seems that the only possibility of restored unity in the Church catholic, rests on the shoulders of the Roman Catholic Church. She must recognize as valid the other catholic jurisdictions, such as Anglican and Eastern Orthodox. Unfortunately, that would mean overturning her belief in the universal jurisdiction of the Pope, and, amending decisions and edicts of prior popes. Pope Benedict could do this, but will he?

What does lie on our shoulders, is for Anglo-Catholics to get our own house in order. Maybe we were hoping that Brother Rome could help us sort out our differences. Well that didn't work, so lets get back to the table. How dare we point our finger at Rome, while there is not visible unity between us? It is well past time for unity among the "alphabet soup" of Anglo Catholicism.

Believing and Doing

Sometimes well meaning people speak of the Liturgical or Sacramental worship as though it were an option or a preference, "for people who like that kind of stuff." As long as you are worshiping Jesus, preaching the Gospel, its OK. Even within the Anglican tradition, there are those who would shelve the vestments, and liturgy for the sake of a more "seeker sensitive" environment. If reaching the lost is our objective, why persist in a worship "style" that is so "uncomfortable." Why kneel, and sign the cross in prayer, when standing or sitting works fine in other churches? It's just a formality a ritual.

Such reasoning sounds pretty good at first, yet it is a symptom the resurrgence of a gnostic heresy, that has once again infiltrated the Church. The Gnostics, held to a dichotomy between spiritual and material. The spiritual is good, material is certainly of lesser value, if not evil by nature. It is expressed in the idea that worship of God is primarily spiritual, and that the material is a distraction, of no value whatsoever. Your faith need not have any material or out-ward expression. Thus we enter the age of "casual" worship. Come as you are: jeans or shorts are fine, coffee holders in the pew, pray however you are comfortable, sing or sit back and enjoy the music. The important thing is that you are praying, and that you are present. Worship however you want. Be baptized, or not, have communion or not. Its the Spirit that matters.

The danger in this thinking is that it contains a grain of truth. The spirit is more important. The flesh is weak, and mortal. The Spirit is eternal. The error is in the premise that the two are separate. That the flesh is not effected or influenced by the spirit or vise versa. The Incarnation teaches us otherwise: It was Jesus' real physical death, his very lifeblood, that atones for our sins, that is, it accomplishes a spiritual effect, our eternal salvation. He taught us that we must be born of water and the Spirit to have eternal life, and that only a fool would hear his words, and not do them. The New Testament is replete with examples, testifying to the fact that your spiritual condition has ramifications for your outward life and behavior. The Apostle Paul testifies that mishandling the sacrament, profanes the Body and Blood of Christ, and had resulted in sickness and even death among the Corinthians. (1 Corinthians 11:27-32) To top it off, we live in the hope, not to be free from this prison of the flesh (Plato) but the resurrection of our bodies, immortal and glorified for all eternity.

This Scriptural truth is expressed in our worship. We show our love and respect for God, by our actions. We acknowledge his Majesty, by giving up our comfort for the sake of his Honor. We bring our outward bodies into submission to our heart and mind. If we honor Him with our thoughts, and emotion, we should also honor him with our behavior and dress. It is important. It's not that jeans or shorts are unacceptable if it is the best you have. Why would you not wear your best to worship the King of Kings?

Here we come to the heart of the matter-- our objective. The Church is the visible Body of Christ. He is present where two or three are gathered in his Name. He is present in the blessed Sacrament. Our worship is directed toward Him and Him alone. Consequently, we are not at liberty to worship as we see fit, or to pamper our flesh with comfort or convenience. Worship ALWAYS reflects and is appropriate to the object/person we worship. Our submission to the ancient liturgy of the church is a fitting and appropriate expression of our love and faith in Christ Jesus. He is not a motivational speaker or a rock star. He is, after all, God incarnate, the Second person of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, the Head over all things for the Church which is his body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23)

Bread, Sawdust, and....

Chickens??? Tractors? The truth is I haven't been making much sawdust lately. In fact, business has been slow for the last year and a half. Oh, I'm still in the cabinet business, but until the economy turns the corner, I've had to diversify. It's called making do. In reality it is what bi-vocational ministry is all about. Sure, I enjoy cabinetmaking, and it has provided well for us over the last 13 years or so, but its not my career. I was pastor of a small church, with a pile of student loans, when I graduated from Seminary. The four hundred dollars I received each month from the church, would just cover my loan payments. I had to find a job or leave the assignment.
Providentially, a good friend, who was a cabinetmaker offered me a job, as his helper. I didn't have any woodworking experience outside of "Industrial Arts class in Jr. High, but the job worked out well, and apparently, I had a knack for it. In a couple years I was working for myself, building custom cabinets, but more importantly I was providing for my family while I served the church. Cabinetmaking has made it possible for me to serve God in churches that cannot afford a full-time paid pastor. (For the man willing to do it, there is no shortage of small churches that need a shepherd.)

So this is me adjusting to a new economy: building cabinets, giving piano lessons, gardening, raising chickens for meat and eggs, and whatever else it takes, to provide for my family, and serve the dear people of my parish.

9 Years and Counting

It doesn't hardly seem possible that nine years have passed since I was ordained to the priesthood of God's church, but as they say, "Time flies when you are having fun." Well its not all been fun, but most of it has been. And the parts that have not been fun have been worth it. Our children have always brought us more Joy than sorrow. Serving God has always had a cross at the middle of it, but the way of the cross is life and peace. Bi-vocational service has lingered far longer than I had anticipated when we began this mission. I had ambitiously thought that in 2 or 3 years we would have a self sustaining parish. However, when I said "yes" to God, it was without conditions, and escape clauses. Besides, look at what I would have missed: All the people in whose lives we have sown the seed of the gospel, through the business; Years of working with my boys teaching them the trade, and so much more; Teaching them that the Christian way, is more than what we do at church-- it's how we live our lives, together as a family, how we work, the quality of our efforts, doing our best at whatever we do, to the Glory of God: the peaceful rest enjoyed by one who has worked long and hard all day long.

I can hope that one or more of my boys might get called to orders, and follow in my foot steps. But if not I want them to know that for the Christian there are few secular vocations. The only truly secular profession is the one that CAN NOT be done for the Glory of God. What ever we do, we do our best, and work at it with all of our might, for the Glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Life lessons are not taught in the class room. They are learned in the bump and grind of life. Our lives are an offering to God, poured out for His Honor and glory.

Nine years, really isn't that long after all. If God allows, I will give Him many more,
and when I finally lay this body down, by His grace it will be well spent.

Welcome Ezra Jude!

It's been almost six weeks since Ezra made his grand appearance. I had the privilege and blessing of baptizing him into the Body of Christ, at our Easter Vigil. I was reminded that it was almost 18 years ago, when the first of our children made her entrance. Nothing much has changed. It never gets old. Each child an incredible blessing, each bringing unspeakable joy, and a sense of awe. To think that God, in his grace has entrusted to us one of his children. A brand new soul, that would not have existed apart from Mary and my cooperation. God made, Adam from the dust of the earth, and Eve from his rib. But the rest of the children in the world, he allows, even requires human participation. When I think about this trust, I am humbled by the enormity of the responsibility that it entails. God loves children, He loves people. He wants them all to be with Him forever. God has entrusted us with Ezra, to raise him, to train him in His stead, the way God would raise his own children so that Ezra too will one day join the ranks of the Saints in His presence. Who is up to the task?

Thankfully, God has not left us to figure it out on our own. He's given us grace beyond measure in the Church, in the Holy Scriptures, in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. With nine living children, I still do not know all there is to know about raising children. They are all different, all unique requiring their own tailor made game plan. The foundation of all means and methods however, remains the Church, life in Christ Jesus. In the Church God has granted every grace necessary for us to accomplish this task. Our task, is to make use of every available means of Grace, for us and for Ezra, to the honor and glory of God- That there might never be a time in Ezra's life that he did not know Christ, and have peace with God.

LOL--Yeah, whatever

It's not a little ironic that those inventions which initially intend to bring people closer ultimately separate us further. Do you remember the old telephone commercial? "Reach out touch some one," they used to say, and then pick up the phone. Who would have thought in those days of rotary phones and party lines,(do you remember those?) that nearly everyone including young people would be carrying cell phones. Of course its aimed at "staying connected." Not only that, we now have text messaging, where a person doesn't even have to talk, he or she can just type words, but not whole words or actual sentences- abbreviations. Whole words, and sentences take too long and require some grammar and spelling expertise. This is an excellent way to chat with your friends while you are otherwise occupied, say at church, or school, or in the grocery check out line. You can even be in a crowd of people (or with your family,)and at the same time "stay in touch" with your friends. Then of course we have the grand daddy of all superficiality, "social networking sites." Where else can you "keep up" with all your "friends" who you never see or talk to? Now you can be "social" from the comfort of your own home, sitting in your pjs on your lazy-boy. You don't even have to comb your hair or brush your teeth.

Which brings me to LOL, or another designation aimed at communicating emotion.:) Have you ever wondered why this is even necessary? I'll help you out here. The printed text is an inefficient, maybe even inadequate medium for human communication. It's fine for text books, dictionaries and encyclopedias, that is, for sharing facts and information. However, for communication between actual human beings, it is woefully inadequate. So when we text or email, we have to give indication of the emotion or inflection that we want to accompany the message. Of course we are limited to a relatively small stock of available emotions, LOL...Human communication, and social interaction is more than just words, or even accompanying pictures. Trying to compress human experience into words, was the challenge of the great literary artists, poets and novelists of former days. They did so by means of the mastery of the language, powerful vocabulary and many words, not abbreviations and emoticons.

I have to admit I was enthralled by some of these new "advances." However the novelty has worn off, and a sense of foreboding has taken its place. They may be useful but I doubt they are good. In effect, the world of text, rather than growing to accommodate human experience, is static, compressing human experience into an increasingly narrow field. The result? superficiality, facade, and surface relationships with no depth. Not only is there the possibility of intentional deception, ( I'm thinking of the country hit..."I'm so much cooler online") but also the tacit deception, that is, the things left unsaid. What your friends via textual media know of you does not even scratch the surface of who you are. It's like the tip of the ice berg. What your friends see by means of facebook, twitter, or TM may be true, but its certainly not the whole truth, and "Relationships" thus upheld bear little resemblance to human friendship. Consequently, while we may be inundated with "friends," it's entirely possible to remain isolated, remote, and alone. We may actually find ourselves losing face to face social skills. Perhaps the most detrimental effect of the multiplication of these superficial contacts, is that they can and do sometimes distract us from the people who are physically present with us, endangering the only real relationships we have. Virtual is virtual. Real is real. Virtual is not real.

I'm reminded that God communicated through the words of the prophets and seers for ages, but to save us, to reveal Himself, and His love, the Word became Flesh. God incarnate, in Jesus Christ. The book, the text on the page was just not adequate.

My advice? The next time you are out with real friends, show them the respect they deserve. Be present with them. Give them your unobstructed attention. Turn off your phone. You can catch up with all your text messages later, from the comfort of your own home.

The Word Became Flesh

My inactivity for the last three months might lead one to suspect one of any number of explanations:
My computer died
I contracted swine flue
I had major surgery involving my hands
I have been on an extended vacation,
Our electricity/internet has been shut off
I've been really busy with other pursuits
I spend too much time facebooking
I just don't have anything to say

The list could go on, but let me just say most of these explanations are false. The truth is that our building project at Christ Community, and then the holidays, absorbed most of the time for blogging that I may have had. Now that Epiphany day is behind us, allow me to share some thoughts from my current pursuits.

I have been reading from the 7 Ecumenical Councils of the Church. If that sounds like exciting reading, it's not really. However, it is enlightening. I have found myself musing, "Who would have thought...hmm. That's interesting." For example, anyone not acknowledging the Blessed Ever-Virgin Mary as Mother of God is to be anathema. I know some of you may be thinking to yourself, "Isn't that just a little over the top?" Let me just say it makes perfect sense when you consider what was at stake, and also, consider the effects of the modern tendency to neglect this point.

One of the issues that stands out in all the councils, especially the first 3 is a concern for clarifying the Truth surrounding the person of Jesus Christ, and the Holy Trinity. Issues that were settled once and for all, and articulated in the Nicene and Apostles creeds. These creeds remain the measuring stick for Christian Faith. The fathers were intense about these defining issues. One of the many heresies in this time period (4th/5th centuries) sought to explain the incarnation by dividing Christ into two persons: the Logos (Eternal Word/Deity) and Christ (Jesus of Nazareth). They suggested that Christ was a man just as you and I, filled with the Holy Spirit in a profound and unprecedented way. The Fathers said, no. The Word BECAME flesh. Christ and the Logos were one. No less God, and no less Man. Jesus was not inhabited by God he was/is the incarnate God, the second person of the undivided Holy Trinity. The Fathers were very clear on the point. Theotokos (Mother of God) is not as much a statement about the Blessed Virgin but a statement about Christ. To refuse to acknowledge Mary as the Mother of God is to deny Christ, pure and simple.

So what difference does it make really? Quite a lot actually. The motivation of proponents of the many different heresies in the early days of the Church, was the fundamental distrust, or denigration of the Flesh. At best the flesh was viewed as weak, at its worst intrinsically evil. This line of thinking can be traced back at least as far as Plato. It is not the same as the Christian view of the flesh as fallen, bent or marred. It is difficult for moderns and ancients alike to comprehend how God who is perfect, holy, infinite, could become flesh. Its easier to imagine Him inhabiting flesh and even that is a stretch of faith. Neglect of this point of doctrine regarding the Incarnation of God, has lead to a "spiritualization" of the Christian faith, that likewise neglects the redemption of the flesh. The result being a artificial dichotomy between flesh and Spirit, and a failure to recognize the whole person, both of Christ and human beings generally. We sometimes see it manifested as "spiritual worship," that is to say, worship unhindered by outward forms or rituals. Casual becomes acceptable because reverence is a matter of the heart. Kneeling is unimportant if our spirits are humbled and bowed. Thinking and reasoning is supplanted by feeling and emotion. The hard facts of the Scriptures are set aside for a "spiritual interpretation." In the end, the Scriptural teaching regarding the Church as the visible body of Christ, is abandoned for a notion that justifies the many divisions within the Church.

Worst of all, this "spiritualization" denies our humanity, offering to the people a truncated salvation, rather than Christian wholeness. The Word became Flesh to restore humanity, to the human race. Human beings, severed from God, degenerate into animals, ruled by their carnal appetites and instincts supposing that it is more "natural." For the first time since the Garden of Eden, we see in Christ Jesus what being human really looks like, how we were created to be. He was/is the perfect Man. Salvation and sanctification through Christ, do not separate the spirit/soul from that which is flesh, but rather restore the proper integrity between flesh and spirit. The truly "spiritual" person is not one who stands aloof from that which is material/flesh but rather, one whose outward manner of living (and dying) is a perfect expression of his inward/spiritual life. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. And we beheld his glory...and from His fullness have we all received grace upon grace.

Extraordinary Means

Recently I read an article concerning new Anglican vocations. The point was made that the new Anglican world, (ACNA) would present a need for priests willing to be bi-vocational. This is a new reality that many former Episcopalians are facing. I am thankful, and really not surprised that many young men are willing to go to such extraordinary measures for the sake of the Gospel. There is a long history of such self-sacrifice in Christian Tradition, going all the way back to St. Paul. " I have become all things to all men , that I mighty by all means save some." It was my motivation almost fifteen years ago, and continues to be the driving motive to this day.

However, care must be taken to keep this zeal in its proper perspective. Bi-vocational ministry, while becoming more common, even necessary in many instances, is not normative of Christian ministry. It is the exception rather than the rule, Scripturally and traditionally. St. Paul, by his own testimony, embraced bi vocational ministry as a way of not being a burden to the fledgling congregation at Corinth, but no where does he suggest that all ministers do the same. In fact his council to Timothy, is in stark contrast to his own practice at Corinth. Furthermore, there is no evidence that St. Paul viewed his "tent making" as anything other than a temporary, extraordinary means. It was his "ground for boasting." (1 Cor.9:15)

In this light, bi vocational ministry must be viewed as a personal choice, an offering of self-sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. For the Church to go beyond this, and to require its ministers to be bi vocational would be a violation of the Gospel. "The Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel." (1 Cor. 9:14)

Likewise, bi vocational ministry should be seen as a means to a specific end, not an end in itself. The goal of every bi vocational minister should always be full time vocational ministry. There are a number of reasons for this. First, and foremost, as I stated above, it is against Scripture and Tradition to do otherwise. God has His own reasons why He has always, set aside men dedicated to his service, from the Levites under the Old Covenant to the ministers, bishops priests and deacons of the New. It seems that for the sake of the missionary endeavor, God has allowed exception to this rule, but it is the rule nonetheless. The person considering bi vocational service, needs to be aware of the cost of this compromise. It will cost. We need to count this cost, and be sure that we are able to pay. Bear with me for stating what should be obvious. If bi vocational ministry was the best, most effective way to do ministry, the Lord would have told us.

After nearly fifteen years of bi-vocational ministry, I can testify that it is not "the berries." It's a lot of work, more than people who are not bi vocational can imagine. It is consistently frustrating, because of the limits of time and physical endurance. The quality of service rendered to the parish suffers. Nevertheless, bi vocational ministry enables us to take the Gospel, to plant new churches in areas, that traditional ministry cannot. So I embrace it as an extraordinary means that makes it possible for me to serve the dear people of rural Kentucky now, while reaching out in hope for the day when I will be able to serve the people of my charge without the distraction and drain of a second job.

David and Goliath

Everybody likes the story. Little David against all odds, defeats a giant of a man, Goliath. We love it when the underdog comes out on top. Its a popular theme, in movies, sports, and yes, even politics. Perhaps the reason it is so popular is that so many of us view ourselves as "underdogs," or little guys, and it gives us hope that one day we will come out on top. Now hope is a good thing. Without it people cannot survive. However, we have missed the whole point of the story if we think this is about an underdog.

First, David was not an underdog, and he did not view himself in that way at all. When he stood before the doubtful King Saul, David was far from fearful or weak. He was more like a teenage boy, lacking proper restraint, and judgment. He had killed lions and bears with his own hands, and this Philistine would fall too. Sorry. David was no underdog in his own eyes, although others may view him as such. There were underdogs in the story though. They were the ones standing on the sidelines despairing, scoffing at young David, waiting for a real hero, and the king who sat in safety and sent a young boy to do what he was afraid to do himself. Those are the underdogs in this story.

David was different from the rest. What set him apart was not his strength, fighting skills, or even his experience defeating lions and bears. What distinguished David from the rest was his deep seated confidence in God. David was a man/boy of faith, and a model for all of us in this regard. His faith went beyond mere belief in God. David believed something about God, and this faith permeated his whole life, whether in the fields watching over sheep, or on the battlefield facing a giant. And it is this faith, what David believed about God, that set him apart from the rest of the army in his own day, and from the wannabe heroes, and arm chair quarter backs of today. Of course, David surely believed in God's power, and greatness, His holiness and righteousness, as do we. But David's extraordinary confidence, came from his belief in God's sovereignty and good will toward him and the nation of Israel. Beyond this, David understood himself to be a participant not a spectator in the economy of God's dominion. God's dominion is carried out by the hands of faithful men and women.

We pray "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done..." (Oh, Lord please send somebody) I doubt that David, was in the field one day tending his sheep, when God, "gave him a word " that he was to defeat Goliath. When the lion attacked his sheep, I doubt he took a moment to pray about what he should do in this situation. When he heard Goliath blaspheming the Lord, he knew what needed to be done. King Saul saw these as two entirely different genres. David saw them as one and the same. The God who helped him kill the lion and the bear, would help him defeat Goliath.
It was not an underdog that defeated a giant, it was the Lord's servant David, simply doing his duty, in concert with his Master.

Listen, we as the people of God, have got to stop reveling in our victimization. We are not victims, we are not underdogs. We are servants of the sovereign King of the universe, co-laboring with Him to achieve his Glory in the world. His power is not lessened but perfected in our weakness. Let us therefore take hold of each day, and with the confidence of David, engage our giants. Let us work in our portion of the field that God's will be done-on our watch.

The Economy of Ministry

This was a new one to me. A recent article on Fox News, cited the poor economy, and rocky employment environment, for a recent increase in enrollment in religious education. Pause. When I read this article I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. It could be that we are experiencing a revival of sorts. The more cynical side of me sees this as a bad omen, a sign that the gospel and ministerial vocations, have been so cheapened that they are viewed as career plan B. "If I can't make it into med school, I can always be a minister." I witnessed this first hand back in college--the student who cannot decide on a major, or cannot cut the academic rigor of his first choice, becomes a religion major.

Then there is the other side, that sees ministry as a lucrative opportunity in hard economic times. People give to the church, even when times are hard. Remember the widow's mite. In some peoples mind I'm sure that this makes ministry an attractive profession. I have to agree that the "opportunities" for service are endless. What ever might be your take on the situation, it seems evident that as a culture, religious careers, have displaced vocations. Compare this article with the fact of declining vocations in the Roman Catholic Church, and you will begin to see my point. What's the difference? Why is one growing and the other declining? It's the difference between "vocation," and career choice. We don't have much room for vocation in our church culture anymore. It's the idea that a person might be chosen, rather than choose. This little difference changes everything. For the person who is called, who receives a vocation, is under obligation, under orders. There is a cost, a sacrifice to be made, obedience fulfilled. It is not a simple matter to "change majors" if things don't seem to be working out. It doesn't matter how well the job pays, or what is happening in the economy. In some cases we who are under orders, have to work a second job, to fulfill our vocation. That is not an appealing proposition to many. Finally the ministerial vocation is a life long vocation, similar to marriage in that it is not to be entered into lightly or unadvisedly. But for those whom God has called it is a price we are more than willing to pay. The promises, the vows you make before God, witnessed by the congregation, and under the hand of your bishop are not a matter of convenience.

How many of these graduate students, pursing ministerial careers, would continue if they considered their vocation in this light?

Rainbows and Promises

I cannot see a rainbow and not be reminded of the promise that God made to Noah, to never again destroy the world with a flood. Everyone likes the promises of God. They encourage us and inspire us with hope for the future-- a future that is not yet. They are given to us in the time in between, the time we are living in. We have promise of everlasting life, that one day God will wipe every tear from our eyes and there will be no more death or sorrow or suffering. But that promise, is not fulfilled yet. Never the less, that promise has its desired effect when it inspires us with hope, and faith, when it encourages us and gives us strength to face the present difficulties.
"In this world, you will have trouble. But be of good cheer! I have overcome the world" --Jesus

On Relevence

It seems to be the new buzz word among church growth guru's these days. It is usually the reason given to justify innovations in the liturgy, for using contemporary music or dispensing with "formalities". It's also the other side of the criticism levied against the traditionalist--irrelevant. But the word seems to be badly misused in either case. In popular usage, no matter what it might mean really, practically it means familiar, or comfortable. Let's face it. Kneeling is uncomfortable business, so is reverence. Singing time worn hymns takes a bit of work. So nowadays, relevance translates into a cup of jo during worship where the minister wears sneakers and jeans and goes by "John." No Pastor John, or certainly not Father John. Such titles are irrelevant. I wonder though, if that is what seekers are looking for or is it what church leaders suppose they are looking for? Perhaps the most relevant question is, "Is that what we/they really need?"

I remember back in Seminary taking a class in cross cultural discipleship. We began with the premise that human beings are religious. This is not theory, its a fact. Even those who are atheists or agnostic, are none the less religious, or rather have religious behaviors. The secular person still reveres his or her weekend, vacation time, or even that one night a week when their favorite show is on TV. Mircea Eliade, Vic Turner and others point out that humans are religious because they need to be religious. Sacred time, sacred spaces serve as interruptions in the ongoing stream of the common or profane. They provide rhythm and order into what would otherwise be an endless chaotic stream of events. It makes me wonder. If a secular person, came to a church, on purpose, actually "seeking," what he or she would be looking for? More of the same? Another support group or affinity club? a coffee shop? Might they actually be looking for a sense of the sacred, the One who is wholly Other? Are they more likely to look for a place that looks like a sports arena or concert hall?

When its all said and done, we may find that the most relevant thing a church can do for the secular person, is be the Church unmixed, undiluted, and unapologetic for its "other-ness."

The Heart of a Missionary

As a boy growing up in an evangelical denomination, my favorite services were the missionary services. We had them periodically. You would know it was for real, because at the back of the church there would be a table set up with a fantastic display of ornaments and artifacts from the "mission" field. The missionary would be sporting some unusual clothing typical of the people group he was serving. There would be a slide projector set up in the nave, with some men working desperately to get the screen set up and the projector focused, working out all the technical difficulties before the service was to start. The service would begin normally then the pastor would turn the service over to the missionary. If he was a particularly gifted story teller, which most were, I would sit enraptured for the duration. Story after story would be told, of the harsh living conditions, the dangers from bandits or thugs, the culinary tastes of the people group. The stories would be enhanced by the slides showing real scenery, real people, beautiful people, pitiful people, and of course children- lots of children. One missionary I remember actually had mastered the use of a blow gun and stuck a dart into a wicker basket as a demonstration. The service would always close with a special offering taken up and prayer cards. I would leave the service, wishing God would call me to be a missionary. You could imagine my disappointment when He called me to be a pastor. Just a "plain ol' pastor."

Was I in for a surprise. What I did not realize then as I do now, that the United States has become a mission field, and difficult one at that. Missionary is not a term that should be limited to foreign missionaries. What makes a missionary, is not where he/she is called to serve, but rather the heart, the spirit in which that service is rendered. What is the difference between a Foreign missionary and a domestic missionary? That the domestic missionary gets to enjoy to comforts and luxuries of staying in the United States? Not hardly. The main difference is just what I related in the story above. I have yet to get invited to a church to share about the work God is doing in Casey County Kentucky. I could bring in slides. I could have a display "native" artifacts, tell good stories about the unique customs and culinary tastes of the people I serve, but it would not have the same effect. It's all too normal, too close to home. You see the real difference between home and foreign missions, is not what we do, or even why we do it. It's not the amount of sacrifice. It's not the cost, or the difficulty of the task. The real difference is how the work is perceived by the world around us and sometimes even the church at large.

As "domestic missionaries" we must not get discouraged by this. Instead let us with full resolve press on in the obscure little corner of the field where God has sent us. Know that the work that you are doing will probably not make the press, and you probably will not be invited to some larger affluent church to tell your story. That's OK though, because you don't really have time for it anyway. Remember a true missionary is characterized by selfless ambition to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who have not yet heard. It doesn't matter if anyone notices. For our sake, it is probably better that way, lest we become puffed up with pride, or start playing to the crowd for more applause. Instead remember whom it is that you serve. Be faithful in the field you are working in. And if by chance someone does notice, remember that you are only doing what is your duty.

A Two Edged Sword

This year marks my eighth year as pastor of Christ Community church, and all told my 16Th year of part-time/bi-vocational pastoral ministry, but I was a part time youth minister for a couple years, and a chaplain at a nursing home prior to that. When you add it all up it comes to nearly 20 years that I have served as a minister at a part time or volunteer level. This fact could be interpreted a number of different ways. It could mean that I am simply lazy and inept. It might mean that I just don't have enough faith to trust God to supply our needs through the ministry. But there is a third possibility, that I believe resonates within the hearts of most men who serve bi-vocationally: Devotion the Christ, and His Church. Throughout my adult life, service has always been about others. When I took my first pastorate in 1992, I was just thrilled to be able to serve the Lord in his church. I remain thrilled to serve the Lord. It is such a privilege, most of us would do it for free. It is not what we do but who we are. Ministry is what flows out of us where ever we are. We don't stop serving others if we don't get paid.

I further believe that bi vocational ministry holds a great deal of promise in the post modern milieu. It provides ministers for smaller parishes, it keeps us in touch with our world in an important way. It gives us contacts and opportunities to share the gospel with people. But as I hinted in the title it is a knife that cuts two ways.

After all these years I still believe in the value and virtues of bi-vocational ministry but with reserve. One of the primary reasons many cite for doing ministry in this way is the very reason perhaps we should not. In the post modern world, it is said that the professional clergyman has lost his niche. It is no longer one of the more respected careers. To the secular person he is less and less needed. We now have doctors and medicine, psychiatrists, and psychologists, we have public education. To many the role of a pastor has paled and is no longer significant, except in religious matters. Ministry is not a "real" job, but a kind of parasite that lives off needy people. In this view full-time ministers live a sheltered life, and cannot possibly have relevance for people who work 50-60 hours or more a week, who struggle to make ends meet and whose only day off is Sunday. Much that is written on bi-vocational ministry trumpets this ability to be relevant and to connect with people in the "real" world. But is this true? Does bi-vocational ministry do all that? Or does it rather concede the point that Ministry is not a real job, so much so that a person can adequately pastor and grow a church on a part time basis? And if this is true what need is there of any "full-time" ministers? It makes you think doesn't it? However the proof is in the pudding as they say and anyone considering bi vocational ministry needs to be aware of the facts. There are few, very few bi-vocational ministers who can do an adequate job of pastoral care and ministry. Through out the history of the Church, bi vocational ministers are the exception not the rule. Even in the New Testament, where the whole idea of tent making originated, it was the exception not the rule. The Apostle Paul did it himself, but counseled Timothy the very opposite. In the Apostle Paul, we have a precedent. The over-whelming weight of scripture points the other direction.

My point is simply this, bi-vocational ministry is not the panacea that will cure the ills of the modern church. It is a "stop-gap" measure today just as it was for St. Paul. It is in many instances a doorway into community. But we must not kid ourselves about the quality of our ministry at the part time level. The apostles themselves did not feel it right to give up preaching the word and prayer for the sake of "serving tables." Neither should we.

Building for the Kingdom

I enjoy working with wood. Over the years, I've done a broad range of carpentry, from framing to trim. Cabinet making is my area of expertise, and I have built literally hundreds of cabinets over the last 10 years. But there is nothing as enjoyable and rewarding for me than building church appointments. I guess it's natural, being a minister, in love with God and his church. It reminds me of the great artistry that went into the cathedrals of old: The paintings, the sculptures, the stained glass. The best artists in the world were commissioned to adorn these houses of worship. I know its a stretch, because I cannot begin to compare with the likes of Michelangelo, but I can't help seeing myself in that company. In my youth I might have rejected such extravagance as an unnecessary expenditure. After all, "God doesn't live in houses made by human hands." "Such money could have been used to help feed the poor..." I see things differently now. Not that I care less for the poor now than I did then. Its just that when the tools are in my hands, and the work is for use in God's sanctuary, it is no longer an expenditure, its an offering. What's more, it is a return of the gifts to the giver. It is God who has given me the gifts and skills that I have. What better way to honor Him and give him thanks, than to use those skills for his glory?
There is yet another mystery that unfolds. While I especially enjoy building such pieces, how are they different from the every day kitchens that I build? Not as much as you may think. What I have learned over the years, is that every piece of work, made for any number of mundane purposes is also an offering. The Apostle Paul taught us that we should work heartily at whatever we do, as serving the Lord. In other words, even the very mundane, everyday work, is an opportunity to make an offering, to serve God in our labors. It is then that we realize that it is not the "stuff" that is the offering, but it is ourselves. In offering ourselves as living sacrifices, we consecrate all that we do for his honor and glory. I cannot in good conscience, do my very best for God's sanctuary, and then mediocrity, for another customer, for whom Jesus died. Doing my highest and best, pursuing excellence, has become for me a way of life. This is not just a way of life for ministers such, it is the calling of every Christian, no matter what their vocation. What ever you do, in word or deed, do all for the Glory of God.