Embarking on a book study
by Angela Whitenhill, M.Div., LCSW
Convener, NBA Mental Health Affinity Group
 Talking about mental health can be a daunting and complicated task. As the National Benevolent Association works to create meaningful ways to acknowledge mental health in the life of the church, we didn't want to ask Disciples organizations and congregations to begin this work without starting it ourselves.
So, in an effort to "practice what we preach," the NBA staff participated in a six-week Lenten book study focused on mental health, faith, and inclusion. Using Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund's book, Blessed Are the Crazy, we facilitated weekly conversations and contemplative activities exploring themes of abandonment, surrender, authentic testimony, radical acceptance, and God's unconditional love for those with "crazy in our blood."
We used Fuze video conferencing to meet for 45 minutes at 1pm CST, so staff from East to West coasts could join in during the work day. To ensure the spontaneous flow of conversation remained focused and edifying, we used a prepared agenda for structure and guidance. An interactive Basecamp project was created for additional devotionals and group-share exercises related to the text that helped continue the conversation throughout the week.
As clergy and denominational leaders, we typically talk about issues like mental health theoretically, or as a means to figure out how to help others. Yet, there was something incredibly nurturing about discussing mental health, among colleagues, for our own growth and self-care.
As congregations across the country begin thinking about ways to address mental health in the church, it is worth considering a book study as a means to break the ice and set the tone for transparent and meaningful dialogue about this important subject.
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Preaching Politics
by Rev. Dr. Clay Stauffer
 I sat down at a coffee shop close to my church with a seasoned politician whom I respect despite the fact that we don't always see eye to eye on every issue. He is older than I am and has seen more than his share of stump speeches, sermons, elections, political pandering, and partisan games. He also seems to respect me regardless of my relative youth and our differences on politics, faith, social policy, and the like. But we each share a love of this great nation, our home state of Tennessee, and the city of Nashville. And we each love our coffee, prepared differently, of course. On this occasion we had another civil conversation-one that included the purpose and intent of this book.
"Clay, I don't know why you would want to write a book about preaching politics," he said. "I've always considered what you do to be above the political fray, a much more noble profession than mine. Why would you want to dive into the swamp? It doesn't seem necessary. I just don't want you to regret this later in your life."
His observation caught me off guard at 6:45 in the morning. I was still waking up. And to be honest, what he said rattled me. Why do I want to talk about the potential pitfalls of preaching politics? Why do I want to "dirty myself" in the realm of politicians who have low-digit approval ratings? Why would I want to open Pandora's Box and unleash the howls of those who say politics has no place in the pulpit? Shouldn't ministers of the gospel play it safe and stay as far away from politics as possible? Aren't millennials staying away from the church because they believe it is too political? Haven't preachers on both ends of the spectrum managed to offend enough people and do enough damage already?
My response to these questions has its roots in the denominational ethos that I grew up in and in which I now minister. At 35 years of age, I am in my ninth year as senior minister of Woodmont Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). I am also a fourth-generation pastor, following my father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. In the Stone Campbell tradition that gave birth to my denomination, we say that we "agree to disagree" when it comes to controversial issues that tend to divide Christians. We stress the unity of Christ's church and seek to maintain it. "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; but in all things love." That's our mantra. This is what we strive to live out in our local churches. Read full article
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Events, resources & continuing education
- 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 - all Greater KC Disciples invited!)
- National Youth Event with United Church of Christ, July 26-30, Buena Vista, FL
- NAPAD Convocation, Aug. 3-6, Sunnyvale, CA
For more events, see the calendar hosted by Chalice Press. Also see the event listings in the weekly Disciples News Service e-letter.
Resources
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webinar from Lexington Theological Seminary, May 17
Online classes
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DMin cohort begins in September
Lexington Theological Seminary offers a D. Min. in Leading Congregations in Adaptive Change. The next cohort will start in September, 2016 and applications are due by July 1. Candidates for the D. Min. will have an M. Div. from an ATS accredited school with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and three years of ministry experience after graduation. For more information, contact Erin Cash, director of admissions at ecash@lextheo.edu or (859) 280-1249.
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