Prayers and Sympathy...

How sad it was to hear of the horrible terrorist attacks against Muslim people during the last days of Ramadan, a high holy month for people of this faith. Hundreds died, hundreds were injured. Who did this? The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS, or Daesh, as they hate to be called), claimed full credit. If any person doubted that terrorism and the true faith of Islam should NOT be seen as compatible, these horrific attacks should end all debate. Our prayers and sympathy are with the families of all of the innocent victims and the injured. I call upon all Christians and Jews to pray for them. This is what our faiths teach us, even as Islam teaches compassion for those victimized by hatred.

President Obama's "critics" slander him for not using the term, "Islamic terrorists" to describe these fiends. He does not, and neither should anyone else, for it is not accurate. Why brand peace-loving people of faith with such a title? How would Christians have felt if the activities of the Ku Klux Klan were described by the media--or a sitting President--as "The Christian Knights of the Ku Klux Klan lynched three more victims tonight..." There would have been a HUGE public outcry from "true Christians," nationwide. No one should use the term "Islamic terrorist." These people are just terrorists, and they no more represent the faith of Islam than the man in the moon.

Again, I suggest that if you are a person who still harbors ill against "Muslims" because of these awful crimes against humanity, please go visit a mosque (which are often called Muslim Community Centers here in America). Get to know practicing Muslim individuals in your company, organization, or community. You will find devoted, patriotic people--persons who are grateful for their families, their country, their careers, and the opportunities they earned, just like anyone else. You might just find what many of us from St. Paul's UMC have found among our growing group of Muslim siblings: incredible hospitality and a shared love of peaceful fellowship and cooperation!

Visit the website of the Muslim Association of Pittsburgh (mapitt.org) to learn more about Islam and what it has in common with the other two major biblical religions, Christianity and Judaism.

Good News...

As I look back over my recent blogs, I realize that most of them have been dealing with difficult and controversial topics. I defend that, in that part of the role of ministry is striving for a "prophetic" voice, and calling out injustice wherever we see it. Last Sunday, I preached a sermon based on the "deliverance" of the Geresene demoniac story from Luke 8. In the CEB rendering of that text, it is said that after Jesus heals the man, he is found "completely sane." My message questioned what that would mean in today's cultural malaise. Specifically, I urged the congregation to write their legislators, encouraging them to act on an assault weapons ban and fair gun safety laws that allow for Second Amendment freedoms, but apply some common sense. I'm sure not everybody was happy with my specific call toward "complete sanity."

Here is some good news. A few weeks ago, St. Paul's bestowed the Rita Berg Peace Award upon two of our members. Freda Copper has served St. Paul's in myriad capacities over the years, but most especially in ministries that help those less fortunate or those in extreme need. So much of what Freda does is "behind the scenes," but those who nominated her felt she was due a little recognition, and since her efforts were about restoring health to persons and the community, she received the Rita Berg award. The second recipient was one of our young adults. Natalie Geer, who recently graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University, received the Rita Berg Peace Award for her dedicated fundraising and "in the field" mission work on behalf of a clinic in Zimbabwe. She and a good friend raised over $30,000 for the clinic two Summers ago, and Natalie has spent considerable time on site, working with the people there. Congratulations to both of these extremely deserving disciples of Jesus Christ!

As I write this, over 40 of our senior high youth and adult leaders are working with Next Step ministries in Lexington, South Carolina. They are building sheds, installing new roofs, and doing some landscaping. After they return, our mid-high youth will be embarking on work with The Pittsburgh Project. Tami Weisner, our Director of Youth Ministries, has developed a youth program here at St. Paul's that helps make disciples of Jesus Christ out of these kids. While they have great fun and fellowship in our youth programs, first and foremost is advancing our youth in their faith development and Christian service.

Also going on this week at St. Paul's is our Creative Arts Camp for elementary children. They are painting, making gingerbread houses, "camping" in the woods behind the church, working on a musical for presentation on Friday evening, and today (Wednesday), some are even going on a field trip. And then, after a break for the holiday, St. Paul's Vacation Bible School will kick off for over 200 kids! Kudos to Erin Soza, our Director of Children's Ministries, and her adult staff of volunteers! Again, the emphasis is on faith development in all of these programs, not just "babysitting."

The organizational skills of Tami and Erin are amazing. Most of us just watch in amazement. We are so blessed to have their gifts and leadership here.

Hats off, too, to Rich McClure and our custodial staff. One look into the New Horizons room, where CAT campers are constructing gingerbread houses with "live" icing, sprinkles, and other sticky stuff, would bring the average person to tears. But these people just do what is always done around St. Paul's--just kick in and scrub carpets, clean, and turn around rooms ASAP, as no space here sits idle for too long. In the Summers, when most churches have "down time," and the custodians can perform "exceptional" cleaning of carpets, sanctuaries, and meeting spaces, St. Paul's is going full-tilt.

Hey, on this second full day of Summer, 2016, enjoy the day, and be blessed, friends. Shalom!

More on Orlando...

In the short time I have been writing blogs on this site since being appointed to St. Paul's, I have had to address the question of mass shootings several times! How sad that, here we are again, in the aftermath of a horrible act of violence that has claimed at least 49 innocent lives, with more than that number injured, and several still critical. This is a time for appealing to God for comfort and grace for the victims, their families, and friends. Prayer is our first order of business. The gut-punch America received upon hearing word of yet another slaughter will linger for a while, and should remind us to keep those prayers flowing until the hurt begins to subside. And pray that at least a little national healing can occur before the next gun-borne tragedy strikes.

What the news is telling us about the shooter is that he was "self-radicalized," and most likely had no formal contact with Daesh (ISIS). It appears he was a very sad man, violent in many venues, and consumed by hate. He also most likely suffered from some undiagnosed mental illness. We should pray for his family, as they seem as lost as to why he committed this unspeakable act as are the rest of us.  From Columbine to Sandy Hook, Charleston to San Bernardino, and now to Orlando, this seems always to be the case. How awful it must be to hear that a loved one has done something like this and to not have had a clue that it could happen. Lord, in your mercy...

What we do know, without a doubt, is that this shooter targeted a specific community--our LGBTQ siblings. Reports say he was recently angered by seeing two men kiss. What is wrong with us? There was a time when, if we felt something was repulsive, or if it "angered" us, we would just turn and walk the other way. When did we become the kind of society that gave birth to such violent and deadly reactions? What is fueling this? And why are we picking on the LGBTQ community? Our own United Methodist denomination still discriminates against this population, so maybe we are feeding it a bit ourselves? I am so tempted to invoke the late Rodney King's question, "Why can't we all just get along?" Why, indeed.

The glorification of guns and the rise of an unyielding "front" against any sane gun safety regulations that hides behind the Second Amendment are culpable. Irrational slogans and Internet posts draw on every type of illogical propaganda, from the infamous "slippery slope" to "red herrings" and "straw men," to "support" opinions that can best be summed up in this selfish philosophy: "I want what I want when I want it," and "It is my right." (I have a real hard time with people who claim to be Christ-followers, and yet still put "my rights" above the greater good.)

Within the first three days of the Orlando tragedy, someone posted a placard on FaceBook that proclaimed:

"If a madman wants to kill innocent people

he will find a way.

Killers don't need guns to kill people.

Timothy McVeigh

used fertilizer.

9-11 terrorists used

box cutters & planes.

The Nazis used

cyanide gas...

Taking guns from

innocent people will not

protect innocent people.

The problem is not guns.

It is a Godless society."

This is the kind of ridiculous "logic" that sane gun safety regulation and banning military-style assault rifles is up against. I responded to this post by a gun-promoting acquaintance by inquiring: Have you tried to purchase ammonium nitrate in any quantity since the Oklahoma City bombing? You can't, because it is now highly regulated. Have you tried to take a box cutter onto a plane since 9-11? Oh, and we fought a World War and staged the Nuremberg Trials as a response to what the Nazis did. And yet, the AR-15 has been the weapon of choice in several mass shootings, and not ONE attempt has been made to regulate its purchase.

We are not a "Godless society." We are a society--of people of color and diversity, of a spectrum of sexual orientations, of differing socio-economic means, of many religious preferences, and political persuasions--and many believe in God. Many don't. Neither of these facts excuse us from acting in the best interests of all, and finding a way to "love our neighbors as ourselves," as someone has suggested. Every time another of these shootings happens, I pray that it will finally be the tipping point for us to demand that our lawmakers act to protect the true innocent. Children are dying because gun safety is so lax. Murder-suicides in domestic disputes are an almost daily occurrence. Over 30,000 people die in acts of gun violence each year in the United States. Having "God" won't fix this problem alone. (In fact, most of my FaceBook "friends" who advocate for gun rights claim to be practicing Christians!)

As a pastor, I am deeply grieved by the strange dichotomy between "God" and gun rights. If we are followers of Jesus, we are called to set aside our own rights when they may cause harm to others. If Jesus had followed the philosophy of the National Rifle Association, he would have turned the Earth into a cinder and walked away after his trial before Pilate. I am not against "law-abiding citizens" owning a gun for sport. And while I would never advocate that people of faith own a gun for "personal protection" (are you, as a Christ-follower, really ready to kill someone?), this is most likely allowed under the Second Amendment. But assault-style weapons? High-capacity ammunition clips? These things are designed to kill people, pure and simple. And they should be illegal to own.

So, what are we going to do? Will we keep playing our sad violin songs until the next shooting? Or will we begin to use our First Amendment rights to speak up, write our lawmakers, and vote our conscience? If not, we'll meet again at the next post-tragedy blog. God help us.

Next up...

Dear friends, I implore you to join our hearts and voices in prayer for the victims of the Orlando shootings. Having just returned from United Methodist Annual Conference, I will be posting some thoughts about this latest killing spree in our country within the next few hours. For now, let us be in an attitude of prayer...and deep, deep grief for these victims and their families, and the entire LGBTQ community.

Thoughts on the United Methodist General Conference...

The United Methodist quadrennial General Conference met in Portland, Oregon for 10 days in May, and rushed through hundreds of pieces of legislation, celebrated dozens of worship services, and experienced several demonstrations from groups protesting this denomination's current disciplinary stand, that states: "The practice of homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching." (The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, 2012, para. 304.3) Almost 100 piece of legislation seeking to modify, strike, or strengthen this stand were submitted to the General Conference, including a piece written by me and perfected by the Northeast Jurisdictional Committee on Ministry, of which I am a part. Our goal was to have the prohibitive statement removed from the Discipline, along with penalties related to it in order to allow those pastors who felt called to minister inclusively to LGBTQI persons to do so without fear of jeopardizing her or his career. Our legislation would have left this decision up to the consciences of pastors, local churches, and conferences. In the end, none of the "human sexuality" legislation was addressed.

The reason was that, when asked to provide leadership on this highly volatile issue, our Council of Bishops put forth a proposal to declare a kind of moratorium for prayer, the formation of a study commission, and possibly a "mid-quadrennial" special session of the General Conference to deal specifically with this issue. Their suggestion was passed by the narrowest of margins, meaning that no legislation on sexuality would be enacted at this year's conference. Those with a conservative view celebrated that we didn't officially change our prohibitive position, and left all current penalties in place; those advocating the change were "comforted" by a statement in the bishops' proposal that, basically, stated they would try to find a way to proceed during this "ceasefire" without levying additional charges. So, that is where we are.

The prohibitive statement about the "practice of homosexuality" was added, as I understand it, at a very late hour in the 1972 General Conference, when this issue was being debated, and it appeared no cogent theological or doctrinal statement could be cobbled together in such short time. Bishop Jack Tuell, its author, expected that the church would deal with it with integrity at the 1976 General Conference, and when, instead, it was amplified, penalties added, and became the defect position of American Methodism, he was mortified.

Today, in a different era, when science, psychology, and human experience has enlightened us to understand that "homosexuality" (same-sex attraction) is just one element of a much more complicated "spectrum" of human sexual identity which we now know as LGBTQ, the language of our Discipline needs to be changed, at the very least. Because of what we now know about the realities of human sexuality, a growing number of scholars, pastors, and laity would like to see our position on this issue changed to include LGBTQ persons fully in the church, ministry, and even in covenantal unions (marriage). Others do not. Can both groups find a home under the "big tent" of Methodism? It remains to be seen.

"But, the Bible says..." is the argument most often used by those advocating for our continued prohibition of "the practice of homosexuality." However, throughout its history, the church has understood that biblical interpretation is far from an exact science. Even those who claim to take the Bible "literally," don't, otherwise there would be stonings happening all around us, and people would be put to death for adultery. People would be locked up for wearing blended fabrics. And those who are divorced? Not allowed to be church members or ministers. Even the "literalists" pick and choose what they will interpret literally and what they do not. What guides them? Feelings? Traditions? Prejudices? Fears? There others of us whose understanding of biblical interpretation fully respects the "authority" of scripture by interpreting it with the best tools of historical-critical scholarship, societal context, and under the illumination of human experience. This is our way to let the text "live" and speak to each generation. This allows us to partition the ancient Hebrew law codes and say they were for days-gone-by. We understand that, while a sad occurrence, divorce is not something that negates one's faith or ability to worship and serve God. When it comes to "homosexuality," we believe we need to go beyond the "clobber" passages to see what the larger witness of scripture says. Jennifer Wright Knust, in her book, Unprotected Texts: The Bible's Surprising Contradictions About Sex and Desire, makes a stirring attempt at this.

I believe this is a justice issue, frankly. I agree with modern knowledge that "homosexuality" is not a "practice" or a "behavior," but is part of that LGBTQ spectrum of sexual identity that is inherent to the human condition. We are all on that "spectrum," but between 2 and 3 percent of humans (last I read, anyway) find that their biological "identity" is in some way at odds with the heart and soul of how they see themselves. They aren't "practicing" anything, it is just who they are. And it is not a choice, unless they are forbidden to act on their sexuality, at which point it becomes a choice--someone else's.

This is where I--and many other "grassroots theologians" stand. However, at this point, I am not interested in being "right" about this, just to have my view respected and accepted, as I am willing to do for my colleagues and friends who disagree. At present, however, if I act on my position by performing a same-sex marriage or approving someone as a candidate for ministry, I can be charged. I hope that The United Methodist Church can find a way forward that moves this issue under the "big tent" that has housed our differing styles of worship, practices of biblical interpretation, and tastes in religious music since the birth of Methodism under John Wesley.

Questions V - May 12, 2016

As we continue answering some of the questions posed by members of our St. Paul's congregation during an "Ask the Pastors" Sunday a few weeks back, today we look at:

How do we use our faith in God to stay positive in the face of negative people?

This is a great question in times like these. In politics today, no matter where you turn, you will hear that people are angry. As our United Methodist denomination is holding its every-four-years General Conference, the news is that people are angry. If you have to wait in line in a store, at the pharmacy, or at the Post Office, you will observe that people seem to quickly get angry. Pessimism seems to have found its day. In fact, if one displays a cheery disposition, people may look at you like you have lost your mind, or they just assume you are on some kind of medication. Can our faith really help us deal with the negativity that seems to surround us?

First of all, let's note that not all negativity (or even anger) is symptomatic. We all have our personality quirks, and there are just some folk who tend toward being impatient, or so highly organized that they are quickly ticked-off by those who aren't. Also, some personalities just see the proverbial "glass" as "half empty." And some of these folk are people of deep, abiding faith. If you read the Gospel texts, you will see that Jesus often dealt with "glass is half empty" people--some of them in his own band of disciples--and he didn't tell them they needed to "sunny up" their disposition. Indeed, in the "Sermon on the Mount" in Matthew 5, he calls folk who do certain things, "blessed." Blessed is different than cheery. Even somber folk can be blessed.

People who perceive that life has dealt them an unfair blow can become negative, clinically. Adopting a working faith can help these persons develop an alternate view of their circumstances, and help them see that God is with them, can comfort them, and guide them in such a way that, in Paul's words in Romans 8, "...all things can work together for good..." through this transforming relationship with God. But if they are one of those born "the glass is half empty" types, even a strong faith will not make them cheery. It can give them a truer, less paranoid view of what their life is about, but they still may not win Ms. Congeniality accolades.

The original question asked how WE can stay positive in the face of negative people. This questioner appears, therefore, to be normally a "the glass is half full" person, but is finding it tough to face negative souls. I guess I see our faith as being helpful in a couple of ways. First, when we trust in God and the values we get from our faith, we are not so quickly affected by negativism. We know that we have a grace-giving God working on us, and this freely-available grace can overshadow lots of "downer dust." Secondly, the Spirit of God may give us insight into what is causing the other to be so negative, and we can be a compassionate listener. Sometimes, persons become negative because they feel no one understands them or listens to them. People of faith can become good listeners, and if we follow Jesus' example, we will not be judgmental in our listening, and especially in any insights or guidance we may offer the other. Finally, we can pray for persons we see as overly negative. Who knows, maybe they will secretly pray for us whom they see as too optimistic!

Oh, and as one who can be cynical as a way of coping with negative circumstances, and using this cynicism in an intended humorous way to "disassociate" myself from them, always remember to give the other the benefit of the doubt!

Questions for the Pastor IV - 2016

Who picks the scripture (for worship)? Why are they chosen, or what is the overall focus?

Good question! Generally, the Leadership Team (which includes our two pastors and our worship coordinator) sets various "themes" throughout the program year (September through May) such as the  "Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace" theme we had during Lent. Scriptures are chosen that address the subject of the theme, in this case, "peace," which we explored in terms of our relationship with God, others, and the world. In some of the themes we have chosen, scripture verses were selected from the Common Lectionary, a universal, Christian compendium of Bible readings chosen by ecumenical scholars. Each week, the Common Lectionary offers a selection from the Old Testament, a Psalm, a Gospel reading, and an Epistle reading, all of which relate, at least in the minds of the scholars. Pastor Karen and I work hard to "wrestle" with the chosen scripture when writing our sermons, as we are both committed to scriptural preaching, as was Mr. Wesley. In line with Mr. Wesley, however, we are not simply "didactic" preachers giving a "Bible lesson" in our sermons. Our goal is to elucidate on the text, and using illustrations, stories, or maybe a personal "ah, HA!" discovered during our study, make it applicable to our common life as Christians.

What are your least favorite Bible stories?

That's a tough question, and since I am answering these questions on my blog, I am answering for myself, so you would have to ask Pastor Karen directly, if you wish to hear hers. I don't like the stories that make God look overly judgmental or violent. I don't believe that the God who came into our world through Jesus Christ, and who offers "grace upon grace," is that kind of God. We have to realize that these stories are greatly "filtered" through human experience, and in the Hebrew Bible, they are written by a people strongly committed to monotheism. Hence, everything that happens--including the bad stuff--has to have its causality somehow related to God. What stories am I talking about? Well, the whole "wipe out the wicked world" story of Noah and the flood, God telling Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, and the times when "God tells" Israel to totally wipe out an enemy, including women and children, would be three I would cite. I also have a problem with many "modern" interpretations of the Book of Revelation, which attempt to bring the whole thing into our time and future times. I believe, as do most Bible scholars, that much of that book was fulfilled when the Roman Empire fell and Christians were liberated from the persecution of that regime. That all being said, I think responsible study (exegesis) and application (hermeneutic) of the Bible can find much value in the transmission of these stories through preaching and teaching.

How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

Believe it or not, questions like this one were actually seriously debated by theologians and philosophers during the period of Scholasticism, which lasted approximately from 1100 to just before 1700. Debates between philosophical schools of Idealism and Classical Realism perpetrated these conversations, with the Naturalists (more "scientific" types whose foundation was observation) on the outside, for the most part. When one enters into a debate of what "real" means, theological questions like "How many angels..." become part of the discussion. In our time, the philosophical debate has more frequently pitted Existentialism against Idealism. While I enjoy a good theological or philosophical conversation, I don't see why anyone would really be interested in knowing how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.