Questions for the Pastor 2016 - First Installment

The Sunday after Easter, Pastor Karen Slusser and I take questions from our congregation at St. Paul's UMC. Unfortunately, due to the limited time during the worship service, a number of "surplus" questions are generated, so in the next couple of blogs, I shall attempt to answer them. Here goes...

Since this is a Communion Sunday (April 3), explain to me one more time why we only have Communion once a month, on the first Sunday.

Actually, we offer weekly Communion at St. Paul's, but only at our 8:30AM service, although this is available year-round. Why don't we offer Holy Communion at each service, as is the practice of our Episcopal, Lutheran, and Catholic friends? Some of our United Methodist congregations have gone to doing this. We don't at St. Paul's, partly because our services, for the most part, are less "liturgical" in church-speak, less "formal" in street language. While the sacrament of Holy Communion is a most important "means of grace" for Methodists, in the theological tradition of John Wesley, our church's founder, so were preaching and teaching God's Word, worship (in general), prayer, acts of mercy, and "Christian conferencing." Given that a great majority of our members primarily attend worship services, we feel that preaching and teaching the scriptures and corporate prayer times are high priorities for what we do in worship. Worship, for many, is the largest block of time spent on spiritual development in a given week, and instruction in the faith, therefore, becomes an essential part of the worship service. Roman Catholic Christians often refer to Communion as "food for the journey." Protestant Christians have more often focused on God's Word as illumination for the pathways of our lives and our spiritual journey.

After musical "performances" during worship, should we applaud? Or should we just say "Amen!"?

Over 30 years in ministry, in five different churches (and my two "home" churches I attended before becoming a pastor), this question is a stumper. The older tradition held that one shouldn't "clap" in church in the manner of "the theater". However, modern gatherings of people find it a natural expression of appreciation for talent shared, musical or otherwise, and in this cultural "shift," applause in church has become more commonplace. Even in the Psalms of the Bible we read things like, "Clap you hands, all people!" Here's what I think: if you are blessed by a piece of music shared by the choir, bell choir, instrumentalist/organist, or a soloist, and are moved to applaud, do so, knowing that God appreciates our appreciation for one of God's children sharing a talent in praise! However, go with your "spirit," not just the urge to be "socially correct," meaning that if the song is soft and meditative, respectful or awe-inspired silence may be the better praise. Feel the Spirit, and let her inform your spirit as to how to show appreciation and/or enter into the "praise moment." I do have one rule, though: Always applaud for children or youth who are sharing in worship leadership through song, recitation, skit, or speech! We should loudly affirm them!

Why are we having a Muslim speak in church? (Asim Kokan, Community Relations Coordinator for the Muslim Association of Pittsburgh North will speak at our 9:30 and 10:30 services on Sunday, April 17)

While I did answer this question in our April 3 Q & A time, I thought the "blog audience" should hear my answer, too. One of the greatest sins that divides people is ignorance, and the media is guilty of spreading a lot of ignorance about what Islam IS and ISN'T. What better way to provide accurate information than to have a Muslim leader speak at our church? And what better way is there to promote cooperation and understanding between these two major biblical faiths? Besides, Asim Kokan has become a dear friend of this congregation through our common social justice work through the N.O.R.T.H. organization in which we both participate (N.O.R.T.H. stands for "Neighboring Organizations Responding Together for Hope").  Our 9:30AM "Grace Cafe" service is inherently a dialogical format, and Asim will answer some questions during our 10:30 worship, but will also entertain "random" questions at a reception time immediately after the service in Wesley Hall. Come and be informed! [By the way many have asked, "Why aren't Muslim leaders speaking out against terrorism?" In fact, they ARE. Unfortunately, this doesn't make the news. Recently, the lead "letter to the editor" of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette was from a Muslim Association leader speaking STRONGLY against terrorism, proclaiming that it is against the tenets of Islam. AND, if you visit MAP North's website (www.mapitt.org), you will see a banner across the top of their home page condemning terroristic actions.]