Well, I guess there's more to this fiasco than I already knew about. Apparently, the GA passed two additional authoritative interpretations that are to be effective immediately, and without warning. This spells huge trouble in the Church. I guess it is worse than I thought (well, depending on your opinions of the matter, I guess).
I will post again later in the day about what is going through my head, and I will include my letter to the Bessemer congregation to be read in worship tomorrow. So you will get my whole take on the matter.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
VBS and General Assembly - This Weeks Musings
Hi Friends,
Here is a blog/letter that I just posted on our church's website for our members:
Hi all, First, I just wanted to say how excited I was to help with Bessemer's Community VBS this week. It was a joy to meet the kids and to hear what they are learning about Jesus. Thanks to all who volunteered from our church and community to help - what a blessing it was.
Second, some of you are going to hear in the coming hours and days about the decisions of our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), at its national meeting called the General Assembly. One issue that has weighed heavy on our church is that of human sexuality, specifically, homosexuality. I've been keeping up on the proceedings of the General Assembly, and they have made some decisions that may prove controversial around here in the upcoming days and months.
[Note: I deleted the rest of this post because it included a first draft of a letter that I updated and will post later today. Read on and find out all the details!]
Here is a blog/letter that I just posted on our church's website for our members:
Hi all, First, I just wanted to say how excited I was to help with Bessemer's Community VBS this week. It was a joy to meet the kids and to hear what they are learning about Jesus. Thanks to all who volunteered from our church and community to help - what a blessing it was.
Second, some of you are going to hear in the coming hours and days about the decisions of our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (USA), at its national meeting called the General Assembly. One issue that has weighed heavy on our church is that of human sexuality, specifically, homosexuality. I've been keeping up on the proceedings of the General Assembly, and they have made some decisions that may prove controversial around here in the upcoming days and months.
[Note: I deleted the rest of this post because it included a first draft of a letter that I updated and will post later today. Read on and find out all the details!]
Sunday, June 22, 2008
This Week's Musings
Howdy all,
I hope this finds you well. Not much going on with me - just trying to keep up with summer Hebrew.
So I've been keeping up with the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s General Assembly, which is meeting in San Jose, CA this week. I am actually excited about the choice of moderator for the next two years, Bruce Reyes-Chow (check out his websites here and here) What I like about him is that you can't put him in a box. He is progressive on somethings (like homosexuality), but more traditional on other things (such as affirming that Jesus is the way to salvation). He is the pastor of an "Emerging" church in San Francisco, and thus a part of a movement I find really fascinating and hopeful for the future of the Presbyterian Church. I guess what excites me is that a generation that overall feels disconnected with the institutional church are electing leaders who themselves want to restore and renew the church to make it what it is supposed to be: the Body of Christ, instead of a monolithic institution.
To me, this echos a lot of the changes we are trying to make at Bessemer. It is time to strengthen the one aspect that small churches tend to do well: be a community. Instead of being about some institution with programs to draw people in, we are realizing that we must be the church in the world beyond just what we do on Sunday morning. And it is refreshing to see that these same themes that I have discovered in prayer and study are the same themes that others my age are noticing and sharing. I think that excites me, and it shows me that God's Spirit is indeed at work in the PCUSA.
But, back to the topic at hand...While I don't always agree with Reyes-Chow's conclusions on some issues (like homosexuality), I admire that he is willing to respect people like me who disagree, and he understands why people disagree. I enjoy talking to people like this, who want to live in the tension what is Christianity, and to seek God's will together. I never understood this aspect of mainline Presbyterianism until I broke free from what I could call the "Chains of Fundamentalist Evangelicalism" which so encapsulated my high school and early college years. What I love about the church is when people who disagree can still worship and work together to share Jesus Christ with the world. What I love is that you can be open and real with people like that because they do not judge you for your theology. Hmm, sometimes I think other Christians are more critical of an individual's theology than God Himself is, and that's pretty bad. And with me struggling to make sense of the Christian faith as I prepare to be a pastor, I find myself attracted to situations where I can explore God's Word with others in such a way that there is no judgment for thinking differently on some things.
So I must say I am pleased that someone young and enthusiastic will be at the forefront of our denomination. I feel really excited to be starting out as a pastor right now, because I think the future of the church lies in my generation's hands. I know that we will never reach a Utopia, but with all that God is doing right now, just think of the possibilities for the future! Ahh, exciting times.
As for this morning at church, the service went well. We had to have like 45 people in church for the second or third week in a row. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but think that two years ago at this time, they only had 35 in church on an average week. God is so good! Anyway, I preached on Genesis 22 (I'm a week ahead in the lectionary texts, but only b/c not being able to preach on July 6 b/c of communion screwed me up), and the sacrifice of Isaac. It was a tough sermon to write, but it went well. In the end, the point was that God always provides at just the right time. After church, we did a "prayer walk" through the church, praying in each room and singing hymns as we travelled. That was really cool. Thanks to Rhodell for coming up with that idea.
Well, bed calls me. I have to be up early to entertain kids at Bessemer's Community VBS tomorrow. I look forward to it!
God bless, wherever you are this night!
In Christ,
Nate
I hope this finds you well. Not much going on with me - just trying to keep up with summer Hebrew.
So I've been keeping up with the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s General Assembly, which is meeting in San Jose, CA this week. I am actually excited about the choice of moderator for the next two years, Bruce Reyes-Chow (check out his websites here and here) What I like about him is that you can't put him in a box. He is progressive on somethings (like homosexuality), but more traditional on other things (such as affirming that Jesus is the way to salvation). He is the pastor of an "Emerging" church in San Francisco, and thus a part of a movement I find really fascinating and hopeful for the future of the Presbyterian Church. I guess what excites me is that a generation that overall feels disconnected with the institutional church are electing leaders who themselves want to restore and renew the church to make it what it is supposed to be: the Body of Christ, instead of a monolithic institution.
To me, this echos a lot of the changes we are trying to make at Bessemer. It is time to strengthen the one aspect that small churches tend to do well: be a community. Instead of being about some institution with programs to draw people in, we are realizing that we must be the church in the world beyond just what we do on Sunday morning. And it is refreshing to see that these same themes that I have discovered in prayer and study are the same themes that others my age are noticing and sharing. I think that excites me, and it shows me that God's Spirit is indeed at work in the PCUSA.
But, back to the topic at hand...While I don't always agree with Reyes-Chow's conclusions on some issues (like homosexuality), I admire that he is willing to respect people like me who disagree, and he understands why people disagree. I enjoy talking to people like this, who want to live in the tension what is Christianity, and to seek God's will together. I never understood this aspect of mainline Presbyterianism until I broke free from what I could call the "Chains of Fundamentalist Evangelicalism" which so encapsulated my high school and early college years. What I love about the church is when people who disagree can still worship and work together to share Jesus Christ with the world. What I love is that you can be open and real with people like that because they do not judge you for your theology. Hmm, sometimes I think other Christians are more critical of an individual's theology than God Himself is, and that's pretty bad. And with me struggling to make sense of the Christian faith as I prepare to be a pastor, I find myself attracted to situations where I can explore God's Word with others in such a way that there is no judgment for thinking differently on some things.
So I must say I am pleased that someone young and enthusiastic will be at the forefront of our denomination. I feel really excited to be starting out as a pastor right now, because I think the future of the church lies in my generation's hands. I know that we will never reach a Utopia, but with all that God is doing right now, just think of the possibilities for the future! Ahh, exciting times.
As for this morning at church, the service went well. We had to have like 45 people in church for the second or third week in a row. I know that doesn't sound like a lot, but think that two years ago at this time, they only had 35 in church on an average week. God is so good! Anyway, I preached on Genesis 22 (I'm a week ahead in the lectionary texts, but only b/c not being able to preach on July 6 b/c of communion screwed me up), and the sacrifice of Isaac. It was a tough sermon to write, but it went well. In the end, the point was that God always provides at just the right time. After church, we did a "prayer walk" through the church, praying in each room and singing hymns as we travelled. That was really cool. Thanks to Rhodell for coming up with that idea.
Well, bed calls me. I have to be up early to entertain kids at Bessemer's Community VBS tomorrow. I look forward to it!
God bless, wherever you are this night!
In Christ,
Nate
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Good Grief!
Well, it has been a really long time since I updated...and I apologize. The last year has been a blur. But it has been wonderful!!
I last journaled at the end of July, meaning that A LOT has happened since then. I began school at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS) in September. I love it there. Okay, it's not perfect, but it's where I need to be right now. I hate to bad-mouth Grove City (which I sometimes do anyway), but I couldn't have been happier to get out of there. I must say that, yes, I learned a great deal from the institution and it prepared me well for Seminary; and it deeply impacted my spiritual life, albeit often leading me away from its rather staunch, conservative stance on everything to a more moderate position on things. For me, Pittsburgh has been a welcomed change, where I feel more able to express my self, and a place which has helped me to gain more self-confidence. Very often GCC left me feeling like I was not smart enough nor gifted enough to be what God has called me to; Pittsburgh has helped to show me that I am indeed capable and called, and I have more one on one connections with professors, who also have been extremely encouraging. I also struggled a lot to make friends at Grove City, especially during my freshman year. I also struggled with my school work, and both of those created a difficult situation at the Grove. Still, as I look back, I gained some wonderful things from GCC: 1) a good education; 2) insight into one particular worldview, even though it is one I sharply react against at times; and 3) some of the most amazing friends I could have ever made, including some really great former roommates (one of whom came to visit me just this weekend). So, I guess all in all, it wasn't all horrible, although I don't know how often the place frustrated and consumed me.
But Pittsburgh has its frustrations and its limitations also. But I think it will train me well, and it has caused me to reexamine myself, my faith and my worldview. The two institutions have had a powerful impact on me, enabling me to, for the first time in my life, actually like myself for who I am, and have "confidence in [my] abilities" (to quote Dr. Tuell). But my struggles in life have taught me humility, love, and grace, three virtues I wish all Christians would exhibit above all others. Not that I'm perfect, because we all know I'm not, but I feel like I really learned the most powerful and valuable lesson of my life when I learned these things through my struggles.
But, life is more than school. I know that's hard to imagine, but it is. There's home. Gosh, do I love living at home again. Not in the same house with my parents (cause that would make me nuts), but being here on the farm. I love that I am sitting on my porch, listening to James Taylor (for me, the music of summer), staring across the hay fields as the sun is setting, turing the blue horizion to an orangish-purple color. The smell of summer is in the air, and I am sitting here watching the hummingbirds fighting over the feeder on my porch. My flowers are planted, and everything is so green. I don't ever want to leave, and I pray that God will use me somewhere around here, instead of making me move somewhere. Yes, I'm willing to do whatever, but I really think, for now at least, He wants me here. I want to be here, things are going well here, and I have a peace in my relationship with God that I have not had for a long time. I feel like I am in the prime of my life and exactly where I need to be. Now if I could just drop like 50 lbs and find a girlfriend, I'd be in great shape...but that's another story... ;-) All in all, things couldn't be more perfect.
And I am still at Bessemer Presbyterian Church. In fact, I am doing my field education there, and just signed another one year contract. Plus, they are giving me an additional $3600 for professional expenses to be used toward school and church, so that's a nice raise! Well, as for the church, here is what has happened over the last year. We have made some real progress. We added four new members to our rolls, and we baptized two little ones. We've had some folks return to the church after a hiatus, and a few new folks start coming, and I hope we can add more to our membership again soon.
The two greatest lessons I've learned over the past year are about God's faithfulness and the power of resurrection in life. First, I've watched God change a church from one that thought death was knocking on its door to one that feels a renewed sense of life and vitality. It's apparent when they gather for worship, and its contagious. I bring visitors in not really to hear me preach, but to let me know what they think of the church. What is apparent is that we are very friendly and welcoming, and you can tell Jesus is present by His Spirit, because it shows in the congregation's actions. Granted, sometimes we get frustrated, we lose faith and feel worn down; but in those moments, God has been faithful, and renewed our strength that we might soar on wings as eagles (Is. 40). To me, this is what resurrection looks like: passing from death to new life. To me, this is God's faithfulness.
I think the key to having a healthy church is the same as the key to having a healthy faith: listening to and following God. It seems so easy, and yet it is so hard. But by doing that very thing, by getting back to the basics of what the church is and why it exists has done wonders. It has given me a renewed sense of what my calling is and what ministry looks like. Too many churches let programs and the like get in the way. To me, the early church had it right when it stressed a community of faith, and I believe that is what will make Bessemer strong again: committing to being the body of Christ, the hands and feet of Christ, going out into the world instead of drawing people in. It takes time for such ideas to take shape in peoples' lives, but they do in time.
So far, his has been happening in two ways. First, we started what we call a "Bus Stop Ministry." Basically, three mornings a week, several folks from the church open the doors and give the kids morning snacks. It was a little awkward at first, but the twenty-five kids who get on for both the elementary and high schools have opened up to us, and we feel a connection with them. If you could see the faces of folks from the church when they talk about those kids, you know why God has called us to do this: to share the love of Christ with these kids, and for Christ to teach us about love through these kids. It's amazing. The second thing we have done is to start a children's ministry called the "Builders' Club." It meets two Friday mornings a month during the summer to help the kids build life skills (sewing, cooking, planting, etc.), build relationships, and to build faith. We had five kids on Friday, and we had a blast. We are thinking we may have up to twenty-five this week! Please pray that we do, and that they are particularly kids that don't go to church anywhere else, so that we might reach them with the Gospel. But in any case, that is going well so far. It was an uphill struggle with it, but all in all, things are working out and I think there is a lot of potential.
And so I know Bessemer will survive its people keep their faith and trust in God and goes out into the community to serve and share the love of Christ. So many are praying for us, and things are really going well. I know God is in all of this, and I only hope that things continue to go well.
So, let's see, I also went to Italy last summer and to Israel this spring. Both were phenomenal, and for different reasons. I'll perhaps write more about them later. But let that's suffice for now.
Well, I've written enough for now. I should finish studying for Hebrew (my summer class I'm taking), but I think I'll sit here and enjoy this beautiful summer evening on my porch. I never want to leave...but whatever. Hope this post finds you well, and that God's blessings rest upon you tonight, wherever you are. Good night!
In Christ,
Nathan
I last journaled at the end of July, meaning that A LOT has happened since then. I began school at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (PTS) in September. I love it there. Okay, it's not perfect, but it's where I need to be right now. I hate to bad-mouth Grove City (which I sometimes do anyway), but I couldn't have been happier to get out of there. I must say that, yes, I learned a great deal from the institution and it prepared me well for Seminary; and it deeply impacted my spiritual life, albeit often leading me away from its rather staunch, conservative stance on everything to a more moderate position on things. For me, Pittsburgh has been a welcomed change, where I feel more able to express my self, and a place which has helped me to gain more self-confidence. Very often GCC left me feeling like I was not smart enough nor gifted enough to be what God has called me to; Pittsburgh has helped to show me that I am indeed capable and called, and I have more one on one connections with professors, who also have been extremely encouraging. I also struggled a lot to make friends at Grove City, especially during my freshman year. I also struggled with my school work, and both of those created a difficult situation at the Grove. Still, as I look back, I gained some wonderful things from GCC: 1) a good education; 2) insight into one particular worldview, even though it is one I sharply react against at times; and 3) some of the most amazing friends I could have ever made, including some really great former roommates (one of whom came to visit me just this weekend). So, I guess all in all, it wasn't all horrible, although I don't know how often the place frustrated and consumed me.
But Pittsburgh has its frustrations and its limitations also. But I think it will train me well, and it has caused me to reexamine myself, my faith and my worldview. The two institutions have had a powerful impact on me, enabling me to, for the first time in my life, actually like myself for who I am, and have "confidence in [my] abilities" (to quote Dr. Tuell). But my struggles in life have taught me humility, love, and grace, three virtues I wish all Christians would exhibit above all others. Not that I'm perfect, because we all know I'm not, but I feel like I really learned the most powerful and valuable lesson of my life when I learned these things through my struggles.
But, life is more than school. I know that's hard to imagine, but it is. There's home. Gosh, do I love living at home again. Not in the same house with my parents (cause that would make me nuts), but being here on the farm. I love that I am sitting on my porch, listening to James Taylor (for me, the music of summer), staring across the hay fields as the sun is setting, turing the blue horizion to an orangish-purple color. The smell of summer is in the air, and I am sitting here watching the hummingbirds fighting over the feeder on my porch. My flowers are planted, and everything is so green. I don't ever want to leave, and I pray that God will use me somewhere around here, instead of making me move somewhere. Yes, I'm willing to do whatever, but I really think, for now at least, He wants me here. I want to be here, things are going well here, and I have a peace in my relationship with God that I have not had for a long time. I feel like I am in the prime of my life and exactly where I need to be. Now if I could just drop like 50 lbs and find a girlfriend, I'd be in great shape...but that's another story... ;-) All in all, things couldn't be more perfect.
And I am still at Bessemer Presbyterian Church. In fact, I am doing my field education there, and just signed another one year contract. Plus, they are giving me an additional $3600 for professional expenses to be used toward school and church, so that's a nice raise! Well, as for the church, here is what has happened over the last year. We have made some real progress. We added four new members to our rolls, and we baptized two little ones. We've had some folks return to the church after a hiatus, and a few new folks start coming, and I hope we can add more to our membership again soon.
The two greatest lessons I've learned over the past year are about God's faithfulness and the power of resurrection in life. First, I've watched God change a church from one that thought death was knocking on its door to one that feels a renewed sense of life and vitality. It's apparent when they gather for worship, and its contagious. I bring visitors in not really to hear me preach, but to let me know what they think of the church. What is apparent is that we are very friendly and welcoming, and you can tell Jesus is present by His Spirit, because it shows in the congregation's actions. Granted, sometimes we get frustrated, we lose faith and feel worn down; but in those moments, God has been faithful, and renewed our strength that we might soar on wings as eagles (Is. 40). To me, this is what resurrection looks like: passing from death to new life. To me, this is God's faithfulness.
I think the key to having a healthy church is the same as the key to having a healthy faith: listening to and following God. It seems so easy, and yet it is so hard. But by doing that very thing, by getting back to the basics of what the church is and why it exists has done wonders. It has given me a renewed sense of what my calling is and what ministry looks like. Too many churches let programs and the like get in the way. To me, the early church had it right when it stressed a community of faith, and I believe that is what will make Bessemer strong again: committing to being the body of Christ, the hands and feet of Christ, going out into the world instead of drawing people in. It takes time for such ideas to take shape in peoples' lives, but they do in time.
So far, his has been happening in two ways. First, we started what we call a "Bus Stop Ministry." Basically, three mornings a week, several folks from the church open the doors and give the kids morning snacks. It was a little awkward at first, but the twenty-five kids who get on for both the elementary and high schools have opened up to us, and we feel a connection with them. If you could see the faces of folks from the church when they talk about those kids, you know why God has called us to do this: to share the love of Christ with these kids, and for Christ to teach us about love through these kids. It's amazing. The second thing we have done is to start a children's ministry called the "Builders' Club." It meets two Friday mornings a month during the summer to help the kids build life skills (sewing, cooking, planting, etc.), build relationships, and to build faith. We had five kids on Friday, and we had a blast. We are thinking we may have up to twenty-five this week! Please pray that we do, and that they are particularly kids that don't go to church anywhere else, so that we might reach them with the Gospel. But in any case, that is going well so far. It was an uphill struggle with it, but all in all, things are working out and I think there is a lot of potential.
And so I know Bessemer will survive its people keep their faith and trust in God and goes out into the community to serve and share the love of Christ. So many are praying for us, and things are really going well. I know God is in all of this, and I only hope that things continue to go well.
So, let's see, I also went to Italy last summer and to Israel this spring. Both were phenomenal, and for different reasons. I'll perhaps write more about them later. But let that's suffice for now.
Well, I've written enough for now. I should finish studying for Hebrew (my summer class I'm taking), but I think I'll sit here and enjoy this beautiful summer evening on my porch. I never want to leave...but whatever. Hope this post finds you well, and that God's blessings rest upon you tonight, wherever you are. Good night!
In Christ,
Nathan
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