|
Must keep text here to keep top border |
|
|
Pastor Bill's
Saturday Reflections . . . |
|
|
First Presbyterian Church (Durango, CO) | 6 November 2010 |
|
This newsletter is somewhat different. Last week I wrote of my encounter in the summer of 2007 with a young man --formerly Presbyterian, now a Buddhist -- down in the Black Canyon. There Sam introduced me to Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hahn. If you missed it, I have re-posted several quotations from this book below.
Most of the responses I received this week were heartening. They were also sad and thoughtful and quite telling for the church's future. With his permission, I share Brian's letter. My friend is a much younger Presbyterian Minister, musician, and gifted thinker. You will be moved by his frank, vulnerable words on Jesus and "organized church."
Also with permission, I am posting a piece by Tod Bolsinger. Tod leads the San Clemente Presbyterian Church. He has a wonderful web site and does good work as a TAG consultant in addition to his pastoral work. For readers who ponder the future of the church, Tod's comments provoke reflection and are not unconnected to why Sam left the church, Brian's letter to me, and Thich Nhat Hahn's Buddhist comments on "practicing Jesus." There is a relationship! |
|
Dear Bill:
THANK YOU for posting this peace. The longer I'm traveling the journey of faith, the more I'm struck by how "religiously imperial" much of the church is . . . and the more I'm inspired by people I meet and the authors I read and the musicians I listen to and the movies I watch that do not come specifically from our faith tradition. A friend of mine here in _____, who describes herself as a 'Christian Buddhist', lent me Living Buddha, Living Christ. I was impacted powerfully, much in the same way you describe.
The irony I've wrestled with (and at times laughed at) is that I grew up in an evangelical tradition that stressed that "Christianity is a relationship, not a religion." . . . I soon realized [this] just wasn't true - Christianity IS a religion - but the emphasis was always on relationship as being more important than religion. And yet, the only way that we could enter into this relationship and grow in it was by joining this one religion and practicing all the usual things associated with that religion.
When Jesus said "I am the way," I don't believe he was saying "Christianity is the way." But perhaps unknowingly, it seems that the church over the centuries has equated Christ with the religion that bears his name. And we all know that they are certainly NOT one and the same.
I'm growing to experience Christ in relationship that isn't merely nurtured and nourished by engagement in the church. Rather, I'm finding more and more of my most exciting and life-giving interactions and relationships happening and growing at local coffeehouses and brewpubs, on the pathways along the rivers, in the simplicities of life and love and relationships -- less religion, more relationship. I still feel called to serve the people of the church, but much more interested in nurturing and encouraging growth of the organism (BODY of Christ) than the organization/institution.
All this is to say thanks for your thoughtful words.
Peace,
Brian |
|
Hemorrhaging Pastors
Facebook Column by Tod Bolsinger
(Wednesday, November 3, 2010 at 9:33am)
Three. In one day.
On Monday, I heard of three of my pastor friends who all resigned this week. No affairs, no scandal, no one is renouncing faith. But three, really good, experienced, pastors all turned in resignations and walked away. Two are leaving church ministry all together.
The details are as different as the pastors themselves, but the common thread is that they finally got worn down by trying to bring change to a church system that was stuck.
I have been hearing from more pastors these days. Some of it is related to my work with TAG Consulting, a lot of it is because I am, well, one of them. We chat and email and text and the common thread is always the same: "The church is stuck and we don't know what to do."
Stuck and declining. Stuck and clinging to the past. Stuck and lurching to quick fixes, trying to find an easy answer for what is clearly a systemic challenge. ("If only you could preach better, pastor!" "If only you were more 'pastoral' and caring, pastor!" "If only our worship was more dynamic, pastor!" "Please, pastor, DO something...That is what we pay you for isn't it?")
In some cases, the leaders of the church had turned on the pastor making him the scapegoat. In others, there was a sense that the church just wanted to stop any change process. For some, they are early in their tenures and are trying to get at the core issues early and bravely, looking squarely at what Jim Colllins calls "the brutal facts." But most of them are so far into their ministry at the church that it seems like whatever they do is too little too late. After trying so hard, it seems that the church just gave up and hunkered down. As one of my friends said, "This church has gone deaf to my voice." And soon after the finger-pointing begins, immediately followed by a big severance, a disillusioned pastor and a crippled church.
Most of my pastor friends acknowledge that they contributed in some way to the very circumstances that are forcing them out of the calling they love. All of us acknowledge that seminary didn't prepare us for this. But, trying to rise to the occasion, they find themselves facing a wall of resistance that quickly turns into a voice of rejection. The underlying, unspoken issue seems to be: "If only the pastor would stop trying to lead us and just pastor us, then we'd be fine."
Except we are not fine. The culture is changing, the world is changing and churches are facing change on an unprecedented scale. We are heading into uncharted territory and pastors and lay leaders need to learn to lead a mission together where there are real obstacles, real challenges and where the future is nothing like the past.
Until we do, we'll keep bleeding pastors and we will watch our churches wither away. |
|
The Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh writes in Living Buddha, Living Christ:
If you only satisfy yourself with praising a name, even the name of Jesus, it is not practicing the life of Jesus. We must practice living deeply, loving and acting with charity if we wish to truly honor Jesus. The way is Jesus Himself and not just some idea about Him. A true teaching is not static. It is not mere words but the reality of life. Many who have neither the way nor the life try to impose on others what they believe to be the way. (pp. 55-56)
For Christians, the way to make the Holy Spirit truly present in the church is to practice thoroughly what Jesus lived and taught. It is not only true that Christians need Jesus, but Jesus needs Christians also for His energy to continue in the world. (p. 73)
If you see that the Holy Spirit is not present in your church, first make the effort to bring the Holy Spirit in by living deeply the teachings of Jesus. But if you have no impact, if the practice in the church is not in accord with the life and teachings of Jesus, you may wish to gather with those who share your conviction and set up another church, where you can invite the Holy Spirit to enter. To be a real help to your church . . . you must first light your own fire of understanding, love, solidity, and stillness. Then you will be able to inspire others, whether in an existing group or one you are helping to establish. Please do not practice 'religious imperialism.' Even if you have a beautiful . . . church with fine decorations and artwork, if inside there is no tolerance, happiness, understanding, and love, it is a . . . false church. Please continue to make an effort to do better. (pp. 68-69) |
|
|
Dear Friends:
I will soon leave The First Presbyterian Church of Durango. Sunday 14 November is my last day. A party is planned after the service. I hope to see some of you good folks there.
This has been a rich season of learning for me.
I have deeply
pondered "anxiety" and "fear" and the many changes that must occur if the whole earth is to flourish. I am grateful for the folks who have worked faithfully with me and for all that has been
accomplished here.
I will continue to
address issues and the need for change.
Please share my thoughts with others. And always, I would love to hear from you. Write me!
|
|
|
Three Readings for November
 Marilynne Robinson is the well known author of Houskeeping and Gilead -- for which she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize. Her latest novel is, Home (September 2009). However, Ms. Robinson is also a very accomplished essayist. I recommend a 2005 collection of eleven essays entitled, The Death of Adam. See especially the essays on "Psalm Eight," "Wilderness," and "The Tyranny of Petty Coercion." These are sometimes dense but always good reading.
|
|
Visit Bill Mangrum online at Valerie Mangrum writes each
weekday at |
William Lee Mangrum is solely responsible for the opinions expressed herein except those which are explicitly attributed to other persons. Mr. Mangrum asserts his authorial rights. Nothing herein may be resold without his consent. Copies are permitted for personal, educational, religious, and corporate use. Brief quotations are permitted with proper attribution. Thank you for reading. Please write!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
