What’s in a Name?

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet.”

So Juliet asks Romeo.  As two lovers they are doomed from the start. They are members of two warring families. In this famous quote Juliet tells Romeo that a name is an artificial and meaningless convention, and that she loves the person who is called “Montague”, not the Montague name and not the Montague family.  Whatever Romeo may call himself – Juliet loves him.

What’s in a name?  In a few short weeks the LCMS will meet in convention.  Many resolutions will be debated, discussed, argued over, and finally passed or rejected.  Several proposed resolutions call for strict, almost mandatory, adherence to the name Lutheran.  Some in our synod question how any new mission start could dare to refrain from having the word “Lutheran” in its name.   Some in our synod are troubled, some are aggravated, that discussion might take place over the very name of our beloved Synod.  How could we be called anything other than The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod?

Are these the issues we should be debating, arguing over, and finally passing or rejecting?  Our Synod is declining in membership.  A recent report indicated we are losing our young people at an alarming rate.  The community in which I serve has almost 70% of its population unchurched.  Are we focused on how to reach more people for Christ in a culture becoming more diverse in ethnicity, economic status, educational levels, etc? Are we focused on reversing years of decline in membership?  Are we focused on charging each member of Synod to explore new ways to reach young people for Christ?  Some are focused and concerned.  They have expressed such concern.  And yet, I fear too many are focused on the wrong issues.  Whatever we call ourselves, if we cease to exist in 40 – 50 years, will it matter what we “used” to be called?

Let me challenge every believer who reads this to rededicate himself or herself to the great cause of sharing the faith, building the Kingdom of God, and offering our lives in sacrificial service to the Lord of the Church.  We are focusing too much on the wrong things and too little on the right things.  What can you personally do to introduce one soul to Jesus Christ?  When will you be about His business?  Why not right now?

Alice in Wonderland

Just finished watching Alice in Wonderland with Johnny Depp.  It was nothing like the Disney movie I watched as a child.  But it was interesting and challenging in many ways.  How, you ask?  Well, let me tell you.

I consider many modern movies to parallel Biblical parables.  They are stories intended to convey some spiritual or moral insight.  Many modern movies develop the theme of the great struggle between good and evil.  Good almost always wins this struggle.  Sacrifice is also a common theme as this struggle demands it. 

In the 1970′s the original trio of “Star Wars” movies dominated the cinema culture.  The epic story of good vs. evil.  In the end good wins out and the evil emperor is destroyed by Darth Vader himself.  That fact is key to the moral or spiritual insight.  Luke believes there is good within his father.  Darth Vader validates such faithand redeems himself at the end of his life by sacrificing himself to save his son.  Spiritual lessons are everywhere in this last episode.  Good wins over evil.  Father sacrifices himself to save his son.  Redemption and love triumph over power and control.

Now back to Alice in Wonderland.  Here again there is the struggle between good and evil:  White Queen vs. Red Queen.  Here again is the call for sacrifice as Alice must face the evil dragon.  Here again good wins over evil.  Notice what is missing?  At the end of the movie there is a moment where we might expect the victorious White Queen to demonstrate mercy towards her sister the Red Queen.  But no.  This is not a story of grace or forgiveness, but rather of justice.  The Red Queen is offered the opportunity to reconcile with her sister.  Here is an opportunity for the Red Queen to redeem herself.  But she refuses.  She is evil to the core and beyond such actions.

What does the difference between the actions of the Red Queen and Darth Vader teach us about the evolution of our society?  Do we no longer believe redemption is possible for all?  Is there a greater societal need for justice than for mercy?  How might such attitudes affect our political dialog?  How might it shape our immigration debate?  How might it shape our approach towards labeling some crimes as “hate crimes” or sex crimes  – seeing no possibility of redemption for such individuals? 

Perhaps I make too much out of one movie, but what if I am right?  How might that effect our proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  Is a message of universal forgiveness and redemption attractive to such a culture?  How might that shape our witness to this culture?  If fear or anger push us towards justice over mercy, how can we call a society back to balance? 

Care to share you thoughts with me?

Reaching a Post Modern World – #5

Those of us raised in denominational Christianity are frustrated and perplexed by the post modern rejection of universal absolutes.  We were raised to believe truth was universal and therefore an absolute standard by which to judge all behavior and faith.  We were raised to believe there cannot be divergent truths, whose application is determined solely by personal adherence and faith.  Such ideas confuse us.  We believe it is right or wrong….but it cannot be both??  The LCMS has debated for years whether the priority is to preserve the truth or proclaim the truth.  How about live and demonstrate the truth?

Let me suggest we get past this argument.  While our understanding frustrates them as elitist and arrogant and their understanding leaves us confused and accusing them of resisting accountability, such opinion only serve to distance us from each other.  When Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman (John 4) who believed differently than Himself, there was no condemnation of her misguided faith.  Instead He offered her a relationship with Himself and a way out of her dilemma.  He reached out to her personally.  He sought to meet her needs.  Rather than correct her He chose to love and help her.  There is a lesson there for each of us.

As an LCMS pastor my instinctive approach is to rebuke error, expose sin, teach truth, and share Christ.  This approach is not especially effective with the post modern world.  We get bogged down in discussing whether there is error, misunderstanding, differences of opinion, etc.  I need to bridge the relational gap first.  Second, I need to meet needs, heal wounds, demonstrate love in some tangible way….then I have earned the right to share Christ.  It means changing a lifelong ministry paradigm and learning something new.  Sometimes it is hard to teach this old dog a new trick.  But I trust God is up to the task.  I am ready to learn.  Are you?

Reaching a Post Modern World – #4

Is Christianity a set of truths, beliefs, doctrines?   Or is it a way of life?   The early church was originally called “The Way”.  The were followers of Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  Jesus called His disciples, not to believe something, but rather to “follow Me.”  He called them to life in the Kingdom of God. 

Many Post Modern people question whether Christianity has lost its way.  Have we become an organization focused on rules, doctrines, rituals, money, buildings, and programs.   Where is the transformational reality Jesus spoke of to Nicodemus.  Where are all these people who claim to be born again?  They seem to be the same old people living the same old lives.

Missional – Emergent – and other new models are being suggested for churches to follow in order to become more active in living out love and grace.  Why the need for a new model?  Is it perhaps the old model has become too institutional and too little an expression of life in the Kingdom of God?

I grew up in the organized denominational world.  I was educated and ordained in that world.  I have served that world for 28 years.  I am that world.   But I believe this world can change, adapt, be reborn into something dynamic, life-changing, powerful, and certainly more reflective of Kingdom life. 

Bringing that change about will be difficult.  My world resists change, defends itself well, and still believes itself to be the best expression of Kingdom life.  But the Kingdom could can reach thousands of people in a single day for Christ.  The sick are healed (Acts 5), the poor are enriched ( Acts 2), and the dead are raised (Acts 20).  Does that happen today in our congregations?  If not, why not?  Certainly miracles are the activity of God and He decides when to dispense such power.  However, do we even think to ask anymore?

If we are going to reach people who see us as just one more failed institution, one more private club with an annual membership drive, a tired old organization preaching a message even we don’t believe in anymore, then we have to change.  God has to work that change within each of us individually and all of us collectively.

Anybody with me?

Reaching A Post Modern World – #3

Balance is always a difficult concept in life.  Too much of any one thing can frequently lead to trouble.  Many in the post modern world are critical of the denominational church for its emphasis, over emphasis if you ask them, of eternal life.  We preach that Christ has saved us from sin and death and won eternal life for all who believe.  The criticism focuses on the reality that frequently when believers become confident of salvation they step back from life and wait for eternal life.  The cliché “frozen chosen” has been put forward to mean many unflattering things about believers.  But are we “frozen” from activity because we know we have life, because we are waiting for that life to arrive? What of the mean time?  What of the now?

Many churches successfully impacting this post modern world are calling themselves “missional”.  It is an over used and mis-used term.  However, they are focused on engaging people right now.  They emphasize Jesus concern to help the “least of these my brothers” (Matthew 25).  They believe the modern Christian Church has lost the balance between caring for people now and trusting in eternal life.  Both are an essential part of the Christian life and calling.

If I step back and examine my preaching I see a balance.  If I examine my own life I fear that balance is rarely well-maintained.  Sometimes I am very missional and engaged.  Sometimes I am more reflective and waiting.  If my life is out of balance at times, how about yours?  While you are chosen by God’s grace – are you frozen from ministry to those around you?  If life is a journey, then join me in the challenge, and together let’s find and maintain balance.

Reaching a Post Modern World – #2

Judgmental!  That is how many in the postmodern culture view traditional denominational Christianity.  Judgmental (in their world) implies being mean-spirited, cruel, disrespectful.  When Christians label those who have experienced abortion – “baby killers”, when we call homosexuals  – ” faggots”, they lose sight of our moral or Biblical condemnation and see only a cruel heart.  We tell them we are about love.  We tell them God is love.  We preach love, teach love, but do we love?  We throw the term “sinners” around with the same vitriol as the Pharisees in Jesus’ day.

I must confess that I keep a few stones in my pockets.  They are useful to me when the woman caught in adultery is brought before me.  I am ready and some times eager to stone her for her behavior.  Well, perhaps I speak figuratively here.  But my speech can fly like a stone and injure those with whom I disagree.  I am a political conservative with little patience – or kind words – for liberals.  I am a religious conservative with little understanding – or kind words – for liberals.  I am a Chicago Cub fan and little kindness…well you get the point.  Lutherans struggle to speak respectfully or lovingly of each other at times.  ELCA vs. LCMS vs. WELS. 

I can easily demonstrate a political, theological, intellectual, moral sense of superiority.  I can be holier than thou!!  Therefore, you are something less, worthy of less respect, patience, understanding, etc.  And yet I claim to be a follower of the Christ.  Those outside the Church watch and listen.  If this is love, then they want no part of me or my Church.  My ability to be mean-spirited, disrespectful, even mean, diminishes my witness.  How about you? 

In Ephesians 4 Paul told us to speak the truth.  We cannot compromise the Truth in order to win members to our congregations.  Nor can we speak hatred and disrespect and honor Christ.  We must speak the Truth- in Love - in order to introduce people to Jesus.   Are you judgmental?  Disrespectful of others?  Can you join me in repentance and together let’s realize how those around us view our speech?