The liturgy of worship has called us as sojourners to a place of honor at the banquet table. (Luke 14) The richness of word, music and image has called us to journey with the stranger. Our participation in the Christian Educators Fellowship Conference is affirming our call to a teaching/learning ministry. However, through Bible study and reflection we are being challenged to be attentive to those missing at the table. The question is asked, “Who is it that makes us the most uncomfortable to invite?”
Workshops on a multitude of subjects are being offered and I enjoyed two of them today. Tonight I am thinking about several points made in these. They include:
- Do we feed the popular Christian writers and preachers approach that presents a God that exists to serve humanity or do we maintain our theological integrity by reminding our congregations that humanity exist to serve God?
- A Robert Frost quote – “ I gave up fire for form until I was cold.” Have we done this within our churches?
- “The greatest enemy of the church is sentimentality” according to Stanley Hauerwas.
- Perhaps we should separate girls and boys at times so that learning styles could be more effectively accommodated?
- We must encourage our congregations understand how their theological thought may have been shaped. Then we need to be willing to do the hard work of helping them create a firmer foundation on which to understand matters of life and death.
So much about which to think and pray.
Friday, October 06, 2006
A Mountain Top Experience
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Two problems with mountaintop experiences. One, valleys always follow, and, two, it is impossible to fully share the experience with those not there with you. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could stay on the mountaintop and have everyone else join us there?
Maybe by coming down off that mountain to shine a little light on the path up, you could help "everybody else" get there faster.
I have been "to" the mountain, and I wish I had worn my down jacket. You need the proper insulation wrapped lovingly around you before
you start the ascent.
...three very insightful comments! Having just returned from a mountain top experience of my own, I feel compelled to add some thoughts. God provides the light,lovingly wraps the insulation around us, illuminates the path, sometimes only as the first step is taken.
I praise Him for offering a glimpse of the eternal as we stand on the mountain top, recognizing that the experience is unique, precious, soul-stirring, life-affirming in a way that is as individual as the person seeking. What an awesome God we serve that in the searching, in the climbing, through the fog, in light and dark, He is there, meeting us, offering the vision, and promising to be with us as we descend. The light will beckon to those who seek it.
What a joy to know that I have shared some thoughts that have touched the minds and hearts of a few of my friends. Pray with me that I can share the insights of this experience with others in a way that will make a difference in their lives.
Post a Comment