It's about seeing the other
NBA provides food for thought, questions
 During Disciples Heritage Week this fall, Mark D. Anderson, president and CEO of the National Benevolent Association, shared a sermon at First Christian Church in Jefferson City, MO. An excerpt appears here along with discussion questions. (Read the
"Jesus tells of the Son of Man coming as the King who will divide the people of all nations, those to his right and those to his left. Jesus says to those on the right, "You are blessed by my Father!....for I was hungry and you fed me, thirsty and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger and you received me in your homes, naked and you clothed me; I was sick and you took care of me, in prison and you visited me." And the all too familiar question is echoed back to him: "When did we see you?"
Not being clergy myself, I rely on my colleagues and friends who have extensive training in the ancient Greek translation of the Bible. And I discovered that there are many meanings behind the word "see."
The meaning is much greater than just seeing with our eyes, but it is to perceive with any of our senses, to take notice, discern, discover. It means to turn our eyes, our mind, our full attention to something...to be observant. It means to ascertain what must be done about something...to inspect, examine, look at and behold. It also means to know, to get knowledge of, to understand, to perceive. So you see, the word "see" in the parable takes on a whole new meaning...
So many years ago, women of a Disciples church "saw" Jesus. They noticed the plight of the homeless children living and begging on the streets of the city. They paid attention with all their senses, they gathered information on why the children were homeless, then they prayed to God and discerned what to do, and then they took action. These beginnings are part of our heritage..."
Discussion Questions:
- In the sermon, we hear about the significance of when we behold, take notice, or discover God in our lives. When can you recall "seeing" Jesus? What was your response?
- When do we miss taking notice or discovering God? What prevents us from the opportunity of "seeing" Jesus?
- As Disciples of Christ, what does it mean to you (or your Disciples' community) to respond with compassion and care when there is need?
- What ways can you imagine yourself or your Disciples' community being more present with the health and social service needs in your midst?
No longer lost in translation
Historic anti-racism training for Korean Disciples pastors
by Rev. April Johnson, minister of reconciliation
Anti-Racism Training is no longer lost in translation for Disciples Korean pastors of the Pacific Southwest Region. After one full year of research and translation as well as two years of planning, Pastors Young Lan Kim and Jun Yang conducted the first Anti-Racism training event for and by Korean pastors.
The event which occurred in late October, leveraged the Pacific Southwest Region's boundary training schedule to offer this training event. It was facilitated with an entirely Korean immigrant and socio-historic experience focus. The October event was the first half of a two-part anti-racism training program designed to prepare pastors for leadership in their congregations and in keeping with Disciples Pro-Reconciliation and Anti-Racism identity.
Recognizing the complexities of the content of the training program as well as its importance, Lan and Yang entitled this first "Awakening" in order to set the tone for an authentic yet introductory exploration of anti-oppression and reconciliation for the Korean immigrant community. In a note describing the impetus for developing this seminal training opportunity, Young Lan shared the goal of the event with the following statement: "The main purpose of this training should be to 'Awaken' people to this issue and help them to build pro-reconciliation in their ministry as well as to become part of this movement."
Read full story.
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Resources and continuing ed
- Remind & Renew: Liberty & Justice for All, Jan. 13-14, Tulsa, OK
- 2016 Disciples Development Conference, Jan. 20-22, Jacksonville, FL
- Winter Talk, Jan. 25-27, Tulsa, OK
- Black Ministers Retreat, March 8-10, Jackson, MS
- Center for Faith and Giving's Stepping into Stewardship conference in partnership with the United Church of Christ, March 30-April 1, 2016
- Disciples Men Sessions, July 8-10, Ft. Worth
- Hispanic Assembly, July14-16, 2016, Coral Gables, FL
- Association of Disciple Musicians 55th Anniversary Conference, July 17-22, 2016, Evansville, IN
- National Convocation Biennial Session, July 21-24, Overland Park, KS (Kansas City area)
- National Youth Event with United Church of Christ, July 26-30, Buena Vista, FL
- NAPAD Convocation, Aug. 3-6, Oakland, CA
For more events, see the calendar hosted by Chalice Press.
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