The Irreverent Rev.

Integrity

2011-06-22T22:35:00.000-05:00

It's been a gift to be here at the trial. One of the most powerful pieces of this trial process has been observing our jury court (clergy colleagues acting as jurors). Since they were selected yesterday (tho it seems like days, if not weeks ago now...) I have been impressed with their integrity.

Now, at this point you may know that this afternoon the trial court arrived at their decision addressing the two counts against Amy DeLong: Guilty- for having conducted a same-sex union; NOT guilty for being a "self-avowed, practicing homosexual." This in itself is an AMAZING verdict (and worthy of its own blog post) but I do not write this because I agreed with their conclusions. This post is to address the upstanding conduct of the trial court- not their verdict.

As the judge (bishop) gave instructions- they were thoughtful. As the witnesses spoke- they were attentive. As laughter filled the courtroom (mild, light-heartened interactions between witnesses &/or the counsels), they remained focused and disengaged, avoiding reaction or direct eye contact with the audience.

I say all of this because recently at Annual Conference it felt like our "clergy covenant" had become a piece of ancient history. Disconnected, disheartened-- and many members jaded-- our clergy communion has not enjoyed the strength and solidarity that I believe it once had and could have again. As a keen observer of human interaction, I was honored to sit and observe the trial court's actions and inactions. They gave me hope, even in midst of a lot of despair, of what our covenant could look like. I felt a sense of pride and blessing to see my colleagues in this light. Thank you, WI Conference Clergy- Trial Court 2011, for your integrity in this difficult process.

With You I Am Well Pleased

2011-06-21T23:12:00.001-05:00

It's been raining a lot up here in Kaukauna. Maybe that's why the image of baptism has come to mind. We've been seeing A LOT of water around here.

But it's actually the voice from heaven heard in the Gospel of Luke that has got me thinking-- as Jesus rises out of the waters of baptism the words come forth, "With you I am well pleased."

Maybe it's because I am being reappointed to a new congregation and leaving my flock at Trinity (and thereby getting a little sentimental), but I've had this passage running through my head in the last couple of days.

I'm in the Fox Valley, hanging out, and watching a good friend/ colleague/ officiant at my wedding (1998!) go on trial. Yes, I have my eye on Amy, but I also have my eye on several of my parishioners from Trinity, who've come to be in solidarity. Most of them had never even met Amy previously-- but had heard stories from me or read about her online. And here they are-- hours from home, wearing rainbow stoles, and singing songs of Jesus. Even my dad, a middle-aged, Midwestern straight guy is here. Amy, of course, was his pastor for six years, but who would have thought he'd drive for five hours one-way and take three days of vacation to protest the Church with a bunch of GLBT-hugging Methodists?

As you can imagine, these are the dear people in my life, with whom I am well-pleased. They are my parents, my parishioners. They are my family of faith. This experience is providing us a strange (even painful) place to share and grow together. But I feel blessed to be here with them and Amy, and even more so-- pleased with our common witness-- sharing the soft rain upon our heads and being reminded of our heavenly calling.

Called

2011-06-20T23:41:00.001-05:00

Sitting there in the banquet hall listening to her tonight, hearing God's word pour out-- it's evident-- God's gifts are incarnate in the Rev. Amy DeLong. It's Monday evening, June 20, 2011 and about 80 of us are gathered together to be in solidarity with Amy and her partner, Val, who are having their love put on trial in Kakauna, WI. It's no wonder she sensed a call-- a call that was confirmed by the WI Board of Ordained Ministry, and then consecrated by Bishop Sharon Zimmerman Rader. Because it's there-- and boy, it's evident.

As a preacher it can be easy to lean back, make critiques, evaluate, and meditate on how you would 'improve' on someone else's speaking skills. Not so in listening to Amy. Just sit back and enjoy the ride-- fluency in speech, rhythm, story, theology, inspiration and even irritation. It's all there. It feels good like having taken a good run-- there's nothing like gettin' whipped back into (spiritual) shape.

In the next few days it will be argued that Amy doesn't have the grace of God to be called and ordained in the United Methodist Church. No matter the outcome of the trial, that point will never be proven. In the days ahead- pray for Amy, pray for us-- but mostly, please pray for the United Methodist Church.

MFSA: My Church

2011-04-27T21:21:00.001-05:00

As a pastor in the United Methodist Church, I am reminded every year at Annual Conference during clergy session that the Order of Elders is my "home church." Our Methodist history tells us that we are itinerant preachers who find "church" not within the walls of a clapboard chapel or under the stained glass of a certain sanctuary, but instead among the fellowship of those called to Word, Sacrament, Order, and Service.

Well, the truth is, even though I hear those words proclaimed year after year-- I'm just not so sure about that. While I enjoy the annual reunion and reconnecting with my colleagues-made-friends, I find myself drawn to a particular crowd of folks which I see not just one time a year, but many times a year. I regularly see these people at education events, retreats, vigils, marches, and protests. In these varied settings we learn together about theology and up-coming issues at General Conference, pray for the poor, give voice to undocumented immigrants and boldly stand for the right (not privilege) of collective bargaining. They are the members-- clergy and lay-- of MFSA.

This past February and March, as the budget battle in Wisconsin drew national headlines I stood with members of WUMFSA (Wisconsin United Methodists for Social Action) week after week. Together we marched with ecumenical clergy, protested with the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice, conducted sit-in-Bible studies at the doors of the Governor's office, and chanted the call and response, "Tell me what religion should look like--This is what religion should look like!" on the Capitol steps. These are the people I trust, I rely on. They help me deepen my faith and broaden my embrace. It is among this group of Christians that I find fellowship as a clergy person in the United Methodist Church. MFSA is "church" to me.

Finding Blessing in Times of Trial

2011-03-01T11:05:00.001-06:00

-A Message from Scott Campbell, Pastor of Harvard-Epworth UMC in Cambridge, MA

Some members of the Harvard-Epworth community may know that I am involved in a church trial that will take place in Wisconsin later this spring. I am functioning as the “counsel for the respondent,” the church’s equivalent of a defense attorney. This is not the first judicial process in which I have taken part, but it is far and away the most uplifting. In previous experiences I have functioned as both a prosecutor and a defender, but in most of the proceedings the issues at stake revolved around significant clergy misconduct. In the current instance the Rev. Amy DeLong has been charged with performing a holy union for a same gender couple and with being a “self-avowed, practicing homosexual” (the term used by the church’s Book of Discipline.) Amy is universally acknowledged to be a wonderful pastor and a truly gifted servant of God.

What has been most extraordinary about the time leading up to the trial has been the level of mutual care that has emerged from the persons who comprise the support team around Amy. She has brought together an amazing group of talented and caring people to serve in a number of capacities. I have been working with a small group of people who have been developing our trial strategy. There is a much wider body that is dealing with things like press relations, guest accommodations, the web page (loveontrial.org), fund raising, training in non-violent action, worship at the trial, etc. The group has been meeting together since August and has formed bonds of deep affection among the members.

When the team heard from Amy about some struggles that I was going through with my parents’ health, I was inundated with messages of caring and support. One woman offered to come out from Wisconsin and cook, clean and babysit our kids for a week if that would help. Others have sent notes of encouragement, small gifts and stories of their own struggles with similar issues. I have been the recipient of Christian ministry in a setting in which I thought I was the one who would be doing the ministering.

Blessings,

Scott

The Schizophrenic Church

2010-11-18T23:53:00.001-06:00

Last week I received the weekly e-news from our United Methodist Conference Center of WI (Wisconsin United Methodist Mother Ship), dated Oct. 27, 2010. Here's one one of the briefs from around the state:

OUR LORD'S UMC MEMBER VICTIM OF HATE CRIME

Lauren Meyer, a member of Our Lord's United Methodist Church in New Berlin and a freshman at The University of Wisconsin Whitewater, was recently assaulted with anti-gay epithets and punched in the face for wearing a "Legalize Gay" T-shirt. The attack prompted a student rally for tolerance, which was featured in a Channel 12 news story. Lauren and her family have been active at Our Lord's United Methodist Church for many years. Lauren has helped with Vacation Bible School and participated in United Methodist Youth Fellowship and Convo events. Her father is part of the church's confirmation teaching team. Please pray for Lauren and her family and write to Our Lord's United Methodist Church administrative assistant Linda Gugel at Linda@ourlordsumc.org if you would like to send Lauren notes of support.

Bad, right? Horrible, in fact! This woman got hit in the face by people she didn't know,

for an opinion expressed on a T-shirt! That is messed up!

Want more horrible news?

Right now, in the same Conference (institutionally equivalent to a synod, diocese, etc.), a fellow clergywoman is being charged with being a "self-avowed, practicing homosexual" & for having officiated at a holy union. These are "chargeable offenses" in our denomination-- and the likely penalty? The loss of her clerical credentials. What an ecclesiastical punch in the gut!

But are you seeing what I'm reading?!

In regard to Lauren-- a bad, violent incident; "THE Church" publicly stands behind her in a weekly email that goes out to all the clergy and probably hundreds of lay people in the state. (This is good & what we should be doing as Christians...). But in regard to Rev. Amy DeLong-- a clergywoman in good standing; "THE Church" puts her on trial for loving and caring for people!! (This is terrible-- schizophrenic even!) And... what have you heard about it?! Shhhhh... it's a secret....this one won't be showing up in the weekly e-news!

Adam, Eve, & Amanda

2010-11-04T13:40:00.001-05:00

This past week I was at a MFSA (Methodist Federation for Social Action) meeting in Chicago. I mentioned to a fellow clergyman that I serve a church in Madison, WI and he says to me, "Man- you are SO lucky! You get to serve a church in the coolest city in the Midwest!"

I took the compliment, thought about it for a minute, and then questioned in my mind if he was right. Coolest "mid-size" city in the Midwest maybe?! Then, the next day, I came home to Madison. It was October 31, "Freakfest" in the Mad-city. It's one of the largest Halloween celebrations around-- this year some 55,000 people (crazies) were on State St.

My husband, Jason, and I went downtown that night to check out some of the costumes, & happened to meet up with a couple of the church. As you can see from the posted photo here, we also met up with Adam & Eve.

I'm now posting this picture to the world-- me, my parishioners, and two unknown people in body stockings at 45 degrees.

Did I mention that the wife of the couple sits on the Staff-Parish Committee (which supervises me) and the husband is my Finance/Stewardship Chair?

The dude was right. I DO live and minister in the coolest city, with the coolest people, in the Midwest. Period.

The Janie

2010-06-02T13:35:00.001-05:00

Yes! I am tired of the traditional dickey riding up and twisting around my neck! Thank God I found the Janie!

New fabric and a concealed zipper in our improved Janie! The Janie is our version of a dickey but for women. Tired of the traditional dickey riding up or twisting around your neck?

Found a Funny One

2010-03-15T21:58:00.003-05:00

Hey all,

Found a funny one last week. I've been preaching on the Seven Deadly Sins and so I googled "venial sins, examples," and found myself on a Catholic website. Yeah, yeah, you guessed it-- I'm going to crack on the Catholics (the hierarchy anyway...). But- before I do, two things you need to know: 1- I'm married to a self-declared "cultural Catholic" so with that and for other reasons, I do appreciate the many contributions of the Catholic Church; 2- To be ecumenically fair, I'm going to crack on the UM Church too.

So the funny thing? On this site, you can "ask an apologist"- a theologian who speaks on behalf of the church- a question about polity or doctrine (Catholic Answers). HOWEVER, see the posting rules noted below:

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Posting Rules

You may not post new threads

You may not post replies

You may not post attachments

You may not edit your posts

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Is that funny or what?! Isn't that telling of the life of the Catholic Church- articulated so clearly, so boldly, at the bottom of some random Church homepage? Basically, you can ask a question-- any question, and yes, you'll get an answer. But that's where your input stops! NO responding, no feedback, no new contribution- thank you very much! "No" is the response to any outside commentary-- even online. Now that's funny stuff.

So on to the Methodists: In reading the Circuit Rider, our UM clergy magazine, a page was dedicated to "Sermon Starters- from Rethink Church," our denomination's latest effort to revive the Church. One of the suggestions was a 'video idea' that came from UMTV where they thought we should watch the series "Church in a Box." As it states so innocently, "a church solves space issue by expanding to a second site, with a worship center in a box..."

Hello?! Bad branding!! Doesn't anyone at the top watch late-night TV? Can I just say "Church in a Box" is even worse than Apple's new "iPad" in relation to women's monthly hygiene! Is anyone getting me here? Because of its off-color nature, all I'm going to say is THREE things: SNL, 2006, & Justin Timberlake. That's all I'm saying...that's ALL I'm saying...

Whoa, Ecclesiastical Catastrophe Averted!

2010-03-02T08:38:00.000-06:00

Long story short: Valentine's Day fell on a Sunday and I thought to myself-- a GREAT day to receive new members at Trinity! (Truth be told, it was a bit of a weird Sunday. Due in part to my poor worship planning that one day was: New Member Sunday, Mardi Gras Sunday-- the last Sunday before Lent with live jazz, the final Sunday of my sermon series 'Sex and Sexuality,' Valentine's Day, and-- our annual Boy Scout Sunday. Yes. REALLY.).

One woman who'd planned on either being "welcomed" as a friend or joining as a member was unable to come to our New Members Class the day before. Then, she and I weren't able to communicate until Sunday morning about which she would prefer. ANYWAY, after brief check-in with her just minutes before worship, she decided that she'd go with the "friend" option and join the church on a later date.

Only days later, in reflection did I realize I'd averted a huge ecclesiastical catastrophe! This sweet woman, as far as I know, hasn't been baptized - a "must!" to join a UM church! Uff da! That was a close one! Thankfully, she and I are both well after this near-miss (no lightning bolts from heaven as far as I know), but this was just another reminder to me that as a pastor I can never be off my game-- not even for a minute.

Doing Good for "The Ridiculous"

2010-02-26T10:30:00.002-06:00

A couple months ago I got word that my former roommate from seminary will become a DS as her new appointment, starting in July. (In United Methodist-speak that means that she'll move from pastoring a church to being a "District Superintendent"-- as close as our denomination comes to being "knighted." She'll get to participate in meetings with the Bishop and tell pastors "where to go"- literally, as part of the UM appointment system).

She and I have only shared passing voice mails since then, but as her former roommie it's my job to share this news with the world. With this move, we, the outsiders, finally have an "in" to the secret society of the church hierarchy. I felt I needed to quote her in my blog (definitely WITHOUT her permission) with her initial message to me. (If I'd ASKED her "ok," she might have told me "no"...! Now THAT wouldn't have been any fun!) Her message is in response to me asking if she, as a DS now, was too good to talk to me any more since she wasn't answering her phone. Here it is:

"Hey you **** , you know where I was the whole freakn' day?! I was sitting in a *** **** Cabinet meeting! I... have absolutely no idea how the **** I got there-- but I can't wait to talk you about that! It's been a bit of a wild ride the last month.. but um.... I don't know what the **** I got myself into, but I think maybe we can do some good on behalf of ridiculous people everywhere... I don't know... but anyway.. I can't wait to talk to you; but I'm on my way home.. but, umm..driving and talking on the cell phone, which I shouldn't do... So..umm.. I will hopefully talk to you in the near future, but I haven't seen my husband in 4 days, so if I don't pick up the phone, you'll know why. Bye!"

Yeah, if you're reading this blog things are probably starting to make sense why this woman and I were such good roommates. This "irreverent rev" and ol' roommie had just a few commonalities (see also "Why I Swear"). What I liked about her message, of course, is the great, colorful content-- everything that she "shouldn't be doing" as a pastor-- swearing, talking on the cell phone while driving long distances through the mountains at night (admittedly so- but does it anyway) and adds a little innuendo there at the end. It doesn't get much better than this.

Yes, my friends, God does work in mysterious ways. And yes, it's a good day for "The Ridiculous" everywhere.

Cat Communion

2010-02-10T10:29:00.002-06:00

I'm about to enter into what no one should ever do in blogging: write about her pets and children. I know, I know... so cliche and so not funny to anyone else who's not related to these creatures... But REALLY, this is a good one.

So the other day we're sitting down for a family meal, with little Poppin' Fresh buns hot out of the oven, and my four-year-old grabs one immediately. He starts tearing it apart and begins (obviously) to mock me (mother and pastor) by pretending to offer communion at church. But he does so... bending over his chair to the floor to offer communion to the cat. "Wanda (whiny voice and twisted face), Jesus loves you." He then proceeds to outstretch his little, fat hand to give the cat the crumpled bread.

To make sure that he's offended everyone in the household, he finishes this act by "crossing" himself. Husband, Jason- the "cultural Catholic," does not find the gesture funny.

Don't miss the photo here of Wanda, our (almost) hairless cat.

Smokin' Poinsettia Leaves- The True Church

2009-11-09T14:48:00.001-06:00

So I'm at a budget meeting last night. Everyone but me is over 60. We're having a conversation about whether or not we pick up the exact number of poinsettias that were ordered because sometimes those who buy the plants in honor/memory of a loved one, don't actually take them home from church after Christmas. Then we're left with dead, crumbling plants in the sanctuary. This is important to discuss, of course, because it will as you know, help bring about the Kingdom of God...

ANYWAY, so the 75 year-old starts in about how it's important that everyone who orders a plant gets theirs-- BECAUSE TWO WEEKS AFTER YOU BRING THEM HOME THEY DIE AND THEN YOU CAN SMOKE THEIR LEAVES! And how we wouldn't want to deprive anyone of that! Then the 63 year-old and the 75 year-old (this is Dave and Ike, for those of you who want to know..) start debating the best way to roll the cigs.

Yeah, these people are my sheep. And yes, I do believe they are the True Church. (And does it really matter if they're kidding?!)

I Ain’t Playin’ No More

2009-09-21T16:40:00.001-05:00

Anyone else tired of playing church? Last week I decided that I ain’t gunna ‘play’ church no more.

This sounds really big on my part. We’ll see if I’ve got it to follow through. Church structure, hierarchy, committees, strategic plans, forms—AARRRRRRG! So when do we actually get around to BEING the church?! You know, CRAZY LOVE, RADICAL PASSION, and BEING NUTS ABOUT JESUS?

I’ve been at Trinity eight years now. Accomplished a lot—from 3 kids to 30 in Sunday School, a $300,000 building project, over a 100 new members (and about the same number having moved on…). Blah, blah, blah.

But when do we burn with fire? When does the crazy passion show up? When do we get sick of spending our time trying to unsuccessfully fill our vacant ministry or leadership positions, rather than encouraging people just go wild for God’s love for the world?!

Maybe it’s not about Trinity Church or the United Methodist Church, but about me. (Sorry you have to suffer being in my head right now).

Maybe it’s time that I—the pastor-- am about crazy love, radical passion, and nuts about Jesus…And then I AM, they CAN, and I’m not a hypocrite in my accusations…

Whoah, dude.

Lent

2009-02-25T16:29:00.001-06:00

Wow. Tacky.

Lent is here, which really means Easter is here—at least for the big Christian outlets like Oriental Trading.

Yes, really.

You, too, can buy cheap junk from China (those faithless communists) to fill your home and church in celebration the holiest of Christian holidays.

Here are my favorite selections:

Personalized Religious Mint Tins. Fat free. Free personalization. (Cuz faith should be all about the individual and not about anybody else).
"He Lives" Cross-Shaped Lollipops. 2 inch pops are on a 4 ½ plastic stick. (This is just gross. Have we forgotten that Jesus died on a big stick?)
Frosted Lamb of God Suckers. (No, I'm not kidding).
Chocolate Candy Crosses. A nice treat for family and friends. (REALLY?! Cuz crucifixion is just too good to keep for yourself, that you MUST share!)
Easter Inspirational Paddleball Games (Now you, too, can have your kids whacking each other with another tool sanctioned by the Church).
Mini "He Lives!" Bubble Bottles. When kids memorize Bible verses, reward them with bottles of bubbles! (Because there's never enough landfill material made by cheap labor!)
Camouflage Easter Eggs (Yes, army-camo-- wouldn't want to forget your militarization even for one day!)

"Oriental Trading…A Celebration of Faith" (No, it REALLY says that).

Did he really say that?!

2008-11-30T19:11:00.001-06:00

So it was our annual church (attempt at) official meeting last Sunday
after worship. Our treasurer stands up and shows a pie graph of
income and expenses. Then he holds up two cards and says "Remember
what the pastor said this morning? Green and tan, green and tan-- the
green cards are the Estimate of Giving cards for our Capital Campaign
and then tan cards are the Estimate of Giving Cards for our Annual
Operating Budget."

He continues (cranky, sarcastic voice)..."Well, everybody knows what a
Black and Tan is. And so I'm here to tell you 2009 is gunna be fewer
and fewer Black and Tans, and more and more Green and Tans, got it?!"

'Oh, my goodness,...' I moaned to myself. I threw my head face down
on the back of the pew in front of me. Peeking up, everyone under 30
looked and laughed at me. (He's 61 BTW...) I didn't tell him to say
it, and I wouldn't necessarily vetoed him saying it (if I'd had a clue
he was going there!). But.... did he REALLY say that?!

Shhhh...

2008-10-07T10:14:00.001-05:00

Shhhhhhh…I don't know what I'm doing…

Shhhh…. Be quiet—and don't tell anybody-- I re-realized today that I have NO idea what I'm doing as a pastor. It's not that I don't know what I'm doing in the sense of "hey, what's up for ministry today?…" but more so-- "how in the heck did I get here?!" and "shhhh… don't tell anyone I don't know what I'm doing 'cuz they'll come and pull the plug on me!"

I say this cuz…well…. (personal confession coming) before becoming a pastor of a church I don't think I attended worship more than 50 times in my life. Now, to some of you that might sound like a lot—but let's remember there are 52 weeks in a year and I'm now running this place with people looking to ME to know what in the heck to do—like "REALLY" what to do (family, relationships, addictions, health concerns, life, death,… you get the idea…).

I went to church for a few high holidays with my family as a kid. Went to church a few times during college and sang in a gospel choir. Guess I did go to Mass with some Catholic boyfriends too (does that really count, tho? I wasn't really concentrating on the divine—but more earthly things like hot boyfriends). And then the biggie—I finally went to seminary and got placed as a pastoral intern (required that I attend church). Lived in France and Latin America and slept in a lot on Sunday mornings—no church-going there.

Then—I came to Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison, WI and got placed as the one and only pastor to lead a flock of 100.

Were they crazy? Who put me here—and what were they thinking?! What kind of stunt was that?! I wake up on mornings like today and think that some reality-show host is going to jump out at me and tell me that the gig is up and it's all already posted on YouTube—my pseudo life ruined. Darn, I'll think, I'll have had a good run at it, too.

But—since I have gotten away with it for seven years—(turning slightly professorial here..) let me shed a little light on the topic. Truth is—I don't think we need or maybe even want life-long church people running the church. If you want some grim facts—google United Methodist Church and words like "attendance" or "membership"—our denomination has been plummeting for decades. "Doing church" as usual hasn't worked—and these have been smart, capable "churched" people. I could write a whole sermon here, but I think congregations could stand to have other outsiders (clueless folks like me) join in and move things around, shake things up a bit. Not that we can or will solve everything—but at least things would be "different," as we Midwesterners say. Not necessarily good, or bad—but different. And because-- even "different" looks better than "dead." Oh, and by the way—we love Jesus just as much—we just met him yesterday.

That's about all I have to say about that. And don't forget – shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. This is our little secret—ok?

General Conference #4

2008-05-27T12:15:00.001-05:00

(Blogging from General Conference...)

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her rainbow-colored-stole and grabbed her hand. The words had just been said "I believe the body is ready for a vote…" by the chairperson and tears were running down my cheeks.

The vote was one of the most important and critical of my three days of observation, and possibility the last 36 years of United Methodist Church. It was a vote to take the words "Homosexuality is incompatible with Christian teaching" out of the Social Principles of the Book of Discipline since the time they were placed there in 1972 (at least so I hear…).

It turns out that the woman's name was Vicky (something). The vote didn't end up being at that very moment—there were a couple of pathetic delay tactics by the Fundies. But Vicky and I had a chance to introduce ourselves (since I didn't know her before I grabbed her hand) and exchange a few stressed looks/ googling eyes with others in the gallery before the real vote took place.

And it happened. It really happened.

The vote was 39-28. And – those hateful words were changed out for some "middle-of-the-road" language (that wasn't strong enough as I would have liked) that doesn't condemn and states that we, as United Methodists, actually disagree. Wow. Actual honesty. How refreshing.

I hope that you will pray for our church in the next few days. Let's pray that as this resolution moves to the plenary in the next few days, there will be more Methodists who will have their hearts strangely warmed.

http://www.generalconference2008.org/2008/04/petition-on-par.html

General Conference Blog #3

2008-05-27T12:14:00.003-05:00

(Blogging from General Conference...)

I know now why I came here.

It was to break bread. At 1am with the excluded of the church.

It was beautiful and amazing. I had been drumming since the mid-evening with a group of young United Methodists called MOSAIC—Methodists blah-blah-acronym for the All-Inclusiveness of the Church (or something like that). It's the young adult branch of MFSA—Methodist Federation for Social Action. I had casually made plans to go out with Beth (Stokes!–A much better surname than) Jones, my old seminary roommate. But then I got caught up outside the Convention Center with a group of drummers from MOSAIC and other affiliated UM-related GLBT groups. They had started a 24-hour-long drumming protest to call for inclusion in the Church. And then I couldn't leave. Till 1am.

Some of the chants were really funny like "Hey, hey, ho, ho, homophobia's got to go!" and my favorite "We're here, we're Methodist, get used to it!" That one then moved into "We're queer, we're Methodist, get used to it!" We also sang Barney, the purple dinosaur's song "I love you, you love me…" and it ends "Won't you say you love me too?!" (Or not,.,hint, hint) It didn't hurt to sing "I am the church, you are the church" and "We are marching in the light of God." We did those for the traditionalists.

But the night wore on and I just kept drumming. (Stokes stood me up). Great folks, great sentiment, great proclamation lived in that circle. There was playfulness and joy, and… unfortunately, bigoted people with Bible tormenting us (not Methodists—some fundamentalist group from the area). It did get a little scary, but thankfully the bike cops moved in and told the counter-protesters couldn't harass or intimidate us. We stayed on the grass; they had to stay on the sidewalk. The Texas Rangers actually helped us!

The cops finally decided it was better for us to move over to be in front of the Convention Center, while the women in long dresses holding "God hates homosexuals" signs, the young boys whose mothers brow-beat them into going out to counter-protest with them, and the men in their 20's for whom it's very convenient to say that women should be silent in the church, had to stay on the other side. (Whew, cuz they were pretty creepy).

That was the time when we moved from proclamation to sacrament. I stayed with a handful of young adults—many of whom who'd been out all day in the sun drumming. They were gay, allies of the gay community, Christians, and sunburned, all of them, praying for change in the Church.

One of the men approached me and asked me if I knew anyone who was clergy in the group. I told him that I was. He asked me if I would officiate for Holy Communion. And I did. And it was beautiful and amazing. It was the most holy and awe-inspiring communion I'd ever presided over. It was apple juice and crackers and a couple slices of wheat bread. It was the richest meal I've maybe ever had.

The order of for communion was an order of drumming, and so the soft rhythmic drumming that had pulsed all afternoon continued into the early morning. I offered words of "Hosanna, hosanna, in the highest" and the people responded with "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" All to the soft, pounding rhythm of sore palms on the head of a drum.

A dear gay friend of mine was there. He'd been called to the ministry 25 years ago; now he serves in a para-church ministry setting. He's been a friend and a mentor to me. I was humbled to serve him the Body of Christ. I still feel silently humiliated that he can't serve me… He didn't mention a word of hurt or regret and loved me with a warm hug.

We cried, we shared in true joy, we broke bread (cracker) and it was in an honest, open, and affirming moment. Under the swirling stars of night we lifted our hands and heads back to the dark sky to celebrate all that is good and truthful. It was beautiful. It was the first time that I felt really honest in saying that "all were welcome" at the table and not like a embarrassed hypocrite. Praise be to God.

Genereal Conference Blog #2

2008-05-27T12:14:00.001-05:00

(Blogging from General Conference...)

So we're singing. It is said that Methodists are "a singing people." It is the only moment in this day that I've sensed the Spirit here. We're in a tense moment, waiting for translation to happen in committee in Swahili and French for the international delegates on a tight vote.

AND…(breath) the powerful moment just ended. (Boy, that was short-lived). With a harsh-pitched woman's voice making fun of Charles Wesley's lyrics of O for a Thousand Tongues, "When we've been there a thousand years"—to say, "it seems like this is taking a thousand years, doesn't it?!" Ha ha ha. Cackle cackle.

It was one of those awkward moments where the room has been full of tension and she was trying to break it, but… the joke fell flat.

Anyway, again, I find myself observing in the sub-section of the Board of Church and Society called "Human Sexuality." And yes, they're debating (for three days, from 7am-11pm) the morality of homosexuality.

This is annoying, because, I believe the incompetent chairperson was nominated as a puppet by biblical literalists. However, the more annoying time was last night's division of subcommittees. The committee was divided into four sections and the delegates were asked to move to the side of the room to which they had interest. So, three-quarters of the room moved to the one corner where homosexuality would be hotly debated. As the numbers got shifted, there were only six women- one white woman as the chair, two African-American women and three from Africa. Of the 17 men, then, 15 of them are what a new friend, Katie, calls "double-whities" (white males with white hair). Yikes.

Now, let's be clear. I have nothing against old white men. I'm married to a white man and someday he'll be an old white man. I'll love him no less, and hopefully even more than I do now. But what happened last night was different—it was an Old Boys Club reunion and there was a lot of schmaltzy smiles, pressing the flesh and "man pats" with old guys in golf shirts who smell like Old Spice. Eww.

That was the moment that I was afraid was going to happen, after having heard my Pennsylvania colleague's words of hopefulness yesterday. I was skeptical to jump on his wagon of hope (wow—am I sounding like Hillary here?!) and last night I was unfortunately proven right, at least for the moment.

But, since I don't want to be so sour, I'm going to quit writing for now. I'll start again tomorrow, afresh (after having gone out with some friends who are always up for a good time and a good laugh). This life as a reserve delegate is pretty good. I get to see the action, take no responsibility, and sleep in while everyone has to be seated for debate at 7am. Later!

PS—Stay tuned for information on the Spotted Owl Society tomorrow. I know you can't wait.

General Conference Blog #1

2008-05-27T12:12:00.001-05:00

(Blogging from Gen. Conference…)

"This is different, (pause with cautious breathe)…this is different…" he said, nodding his head in way that seemed he was almost convincing himself with his words.

'He' is Ray Hamill, lay delegate—in fact, delegation leader– for the Wyoming Conference (a small annual conference that overlaps the parts of the states of New York and Pennsylvania).

This is his FOURTH General Conference. And rather than outright cynicism—he expressed hope to my friend, Beth, and me. He said he was experiencing one of those "something big" kind of sensations. (Your eyebrows should be raised with intrigue here).

Wow. (Insert my own 'pause' here). Hope?! Hope from a middle-aged, gray haired, balding guy—that THIS General Conference could offer hope to the Church?!

I have to say—his words impressed (and startled) me. I'm impressed by this Baby Boomer, who forthrightly acknowledged that his generation talked the talk of change, but lost the walk a long time ago—in the world and in the Church. They'd run away with leadership, money (now healthcare too) and left little for the X and Y's of future generations. There's a lot he could be discouraged about… but he's not. The Church, he thought, could change and we might see it here. We could be hopeful. Things could be different.

Yikes. I'm liken' this (his words…)—and didn't think I would (the outcome of the Conference…).

I had basically prepared myself to be very discouraged and disappointed by this Conference—order, politicking, bickering for the institution. But even so, I'd definitely been excited about coming, reuniting with old friends, and eating out a lot (and drinks late at night). But the idea that this Conference could be "one of those"—that every few decades (or even centuries) comes along and makes history—was not predestined in my thousand-page booklet for General Conference.

So, before I get to giddy… We'll wait. Right now I'm typing while we wait for the elections of leadership for a very important sub-committee, "Church and Society II." It's the social justice arm of the UMC. Who wins this election will be the chairperson for the next few days and will guide, monitor (and block) discussion around and among other things, like abortion and homosexuality and the Church. I do have hope, but it's timid.

So… albeit exciting… I think I'll wait. Just a little more. I would REALLY like to be proven completely wrong.

Until then I'll remember a nice moment coming back from lunch today for plenary. There were about 4,000 United Methodists singing and clapping in this huge convention center to the song "We Are Family"— to celebrate the 40 year anniversary of the coming together of the Evangelical United Brethren Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church—to become the United Methodist Church. Methodists are an endearing, funny crowd. I saw all these middle-aged people trying to sway to the beat and sing a pop song… It was a fond flashback to times when I was embarrassed of my parents as a teenager.

If you're interested in checking out more—see if you can't download/stream the Young Adult address from this morning. That was the BEST thing of the Conference yet. Check out this other one as well from the Connectional Table—it might not be as uplifting, but…. Ya know, it is what it is…www.umc.org/stateofthechurch

Why I Swear

2007-09-05T08:19:00.000-05:00

I swear.

I know that’s not so cool with some folks. Some might not like it because it’s not "proper." Others find themselves in a generation where it just wasn’t (and still isn’t) ok. Others think there’s something prohibiting it in the Ten Commandments (wrong). Then there are those who are horrified by the thought that a pastor would say such things (well, here I am…oops?!).

So why do I swear? I think I swear because I don’t have tattoos. I think I swear because I don’t have piercings or wear bikinis. I think I swear to express myself. You know, to be me. I’m not into that other stuff; but for some reason I’m into swearing.

You could say that it’s to separate myself from the crowd—not in a sense that I have to prove something—but as a way to distinguish myself. It could also be my sorry attempt at pushing the envelope, trying to be edgy.

I guess I’m not even that cool to try to be cool. My mouth just flies sometimes and unless in inappropriate settings, I haven’t seen the need to control it. It’s my way to be real. Oh, yeah. And I’m human.

About three years ago I was leading a camping weekend out at one of our United Methodist camps. A new member of the church sat down with me on the dock and the two of us had a great, deep conversation about church, pastors, denominations and all the "stuff" that we’ve seen or put up with over the years. It only seemed natural to come up with some four-lettered words describing how pastors or priests have abused, churches have failed, and denominations don’t get it.

This new member halted our conversation. "Did you just say what I think you said?" he asked. Feeling pretty comfortable from our talk and the vibes I got from the guy, I said "Yeah…!" and shared with him my thoughts about getting real and being real as a person and Christian (expressions, thoughts, language and all!)—and yes, even as clergy.

"A pastor that swears--- that is so refreshing!" he said. Then he demonstrated his own command on the language with some new vocabulary and we continued our talk without holding back or feeling constricted.

So let’s be clear. I don’t swear around little kids or grandmas or drop the F-bomb in worship. But I do believe in being real, expressing myself in appropriate times and places in a way that people can relate to and in a way they’d even use themselves. I believe that we get too caught up in the little stuff (ever noticed how short those words are?) and lose sight of the big stuff. Like Jesus. Like God. And like being faithful. Those are the things that I’ll do my best not to disrespect.

In thinking about this blog, I wrote a former professor of mine from seminary, Bruce Birch—he’s the Dean at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He was the one who taught us that "Do not take thy Lord’s name in vain" had nothing to do about swearing (which as a 23 year-old who liked to swear thought was the coolest thing she’d ever learned in higher ed).

Below you can see his response to my question about "fowl language." I made a little mistake with spelling—should have been "foul" language… Anyway—you’ll enjoy his response—he’s the best and funniest teacher I ever had (even at times when it’s at my own expense…!).

The Ten Commandments and Language
The Ten Commandments given to Moses lay down important guidelines for our lives that are still relevant today. Of course, the difference between ancient times and our own means that some translation and interpretation is necessary. A good example of this is the third commandment "You shall not take the Lord's name in vain." Traditionally this has been taken to be a commandment to forbid swearing. Thus, it would be a commandment opposed to "foul" language. Considerable confusion has been cast over the matter, however, by the recent article published by Prof. Sidney A. Dumbcluck. He reminded readers of the overwhelmingly rural background of the Old Testament and proposed that this commandment was really intended to prohibit "fowl" language. The chicken, as were many other animals, was revered by the Canaanites. Of course, the "fowl" image of such birds was forbidden as an object of worship. This makes the third commandment a direct outgrowth of the second commandment forbidding idolatry. It should be read "You shall not use the Lord's name in a "vane," referring to the use of the rooster image in eathervanes. Such association of the Lord's name with a "fowl" image is strictly forbidden. Now as clever as Prof. Dumbcluck's hypothesis seems, it is entirely wrongheaded and incorrect. The commandment does indeed have to do with "foul" language rather than "fowl" language, but both Prof. Dumbcluck and the traditional interpreters have missed an important hermeneutical clue. The entire Bible begins with a reference to baseball--"In the big inning..." Gen. 1:1a. Thus, the commandment has to do with our response when life gives us a sweet pitch right down the center of the plate and the best we can do is "foul" it off. We miss our chance at hitting the home run grooved for us by God and hoped for by all those family members and parishioners rooting for our leadership at the plate. Of course, this often leads to "foul" language of the coarser variety so swearing and "fouled" pitches are indeed, at times, related. The Decalogue ("log" here may refer to a baseball bat, thus, "ten bats"--God's grace is more generous than the three strikes usually allowed) is still clearly relevant to our modern lives as we attempt to follow God's will for our lives. There is no need for "foul" language when we "foul" the opportunities given to us by God. Our efforts need not be in "vain" if we stand in and boldly take our swings, assuming that we resist the temptation to chicken out.
Have a great
day!
Bruce

Idiocy

2007-08-13T09:22:00.000-05:00

I went on vacation. I’m back and I’m feeling particularly spunky.

So what am I feel spunky about?

How about Pope Benedict declaring all Protestant churches “defective” because somehow (he believes) we don’t fall in the line of apostolic succession? (If you don’t even know what apostolic succession is, that’s ok, cuz basically the rest of this blog is not about weighty doctrinal language but about poking fun at idiocy).

Articles and blogs have had Protestant leaders getting their underwear in a bunchy about the Pope calling us defective. Well, what’s so wrong with that?! We ARE defective! The point that my comrades missed about the idiocy of the Pope’s statement is that he fails to see how the Catholic Church is defective TOO! We are ALL defective.

It’s not that one church has it “right” and the other/s don’t. NEITHER of us, NONE of us do! You know that line in the Lord’s Prayer that goes “YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done…” No Christian or church has completely figured it out yet. That’s why when we talk about Christ’s second coming—it’s not here yet! Cuz if WE’RE to be the BODY of Christ, it’s not until we act fully as he would have us do that the kingdom will come! Jesus isn’t going to skateboard down on some cloud and zap everyone into good behavior someday. It’s up to us, his followers—who are fallible, often unknowing people—to try to live by God’s grace to be Christ’s body on this earth—to make the world, the “kingdom,” as God and Jesus would have it to be.

In sum,… I would have liked to have said (and thought) that we were a little closer to the kingdom coming before the Pope’s latest snafu. But looking at world-wide church leadership and its complete lack of self-awareness… Hmm… guess two thousand years since Jesus lived isn’t long enough for us to have figured it out. I’ll be optimistic: give us another thousand.

What Evangelism IS

2007-08-06T11:15:00.000-05:00

So I beat one of my parishioners with a Bible in worship yesterday. OK, yes, he knew it was coming and he agreed to it.

In my sermon I was talking about what evangelism is, and what evangelism is not. Yeah—the Bible thumping, Bible beating was a demonstration of what evangelism is NOT.

As mainline Protestants we’ve let too many fundamentalists and so-called “evangelicals” run away with this word and its true Greek meaning: good news. They’ve stolen our good news and tried to beat people up—maybe not physically—but certainly verbally and theologically with the Bible. Especially our GBLT brothers and sisters.

The Gospel of John, chapter 4:7-30 tells the story of Jesus encountering the Samaritan woman at the well. Sharing the good news with her wasn’t an attack by Jesus-- beating her up with the latest papyrus copy of the Hebrew Scriptures. Instead of a one-time verbal attack or domination of dialogue, Jesus takes a five-step approach to sharing the good news he has for her life. He INITIATES contact with the woman by meeting her at the well (a place where he was crossing cultural, linguistic, and sexual boundaries by talking with her). He engages in CONVERSATION with her (the text is great here—this is one of the handful of times that the gospels are really drawn-out in their dialogue). They both share in REFLECTION of the thoughts and opinions of the other (what a refreshing way for us to consider talking to someone about our faith lives?!). The Samaritan woman is RE-DIRECTED, physically (heads back to the city) and spiritually, after her encounter with Jesus. The woman is REJUVENATED—she’s given new energy and new life by learning about the “living water” and she runs back to tell others. Those who listen to her are so excited about what they’ve heard, they then leave the city and turn to find Jesus for themselves.

Conclusion?

What evangelism IS according to Jesus:

Purposeful initiation of contact, engagement in conversation, dialogue that encourages thoughtful reflection, redirection of life after a mystical encounter, and living and sharing a rejuvenated life because of the experience.

Blog #2

2007-07-06T11:09:00.000-05:00

So I think I could really get into this blogging thing. Especially the stream of consciousness, “unfiltered” nature to it all.

This blogging stuff is basically what I always wanted to say in seminary (and often did, with my friends) but had no one “out there” to hear it or read it. Lucky you! I always thought that some sort of Thursday night TV drama would have loved to get a script out of the thoughts (and actions) of those dorm room hours…Yeah, THEY’RE the ones offering moral leadership in our churches now…:0!

But I digress. The point here is that I think there’s a whole new generation of excited young, faithful people in and OUTSIDE of the church who are aching to change the world. Those who hate the war we’re in; sickened by the pain our nation has caused; helplessly sympathetic to those who we’ve wounded and killed. And that’s not to mention global warming, growing economic disparity, child abuse and neglect…

We’re people who want a tide of change but who don’t see being “Yes Men” to “The Man” to be the way to do it. And I can see that…as I am clergy of a mainline denomination-- I am the Man (or Wo-man?!…) and I’m not always pleased with myself, where I am and what I’m supporting by being part of the status quo. I feel a tide, too. But it’s more often a drowning, not a “ride the wave,” sensation. Things are going the wrong way in the church and yet…. the emotional, physical, communal energy to shift it is like…yikes… just about too much.

So I declare myself irreverent to the need to be reverent—at least to the stuff that does not need reverence--the way things have been “just cuz” or because that’s the way things are “supposed to be”-- the systems that sustain, the meetings and institutions that kill—anything that just constantly deadens mind, energy and hope. I want to be reverent to the big stuff. Ya know-- like God. Like Jesus. The rest needs to take a back seat.

And now that I look at the clock…it’s past midnight, so…

that’s all I have to say about that.

Blog #1

2007-06-27T11:07:00.000-05:00

I don’t know crap about writing a blog but I do know that sitting in my comfy, southern view, near-westside second floor church office I’m not going to be part of the movement to change the Church and the world if I don’t figure it out.

So, like all moderately-intelligent people, I surround myself with people who are smarter than I am. We’ve got a new administrative assistant—younger and much more competent than I—telling me what’s best regarding this computer stuff. Things are just better that way.

And, I’d like (sometimes) to think of myself the same way—though not about technology. As one of 17 (so I hear…) United Methodist clergy who are under 40 years old in the state of Wisconsin—I wish people would surround themselves with the “emergent” and emerging church (ME *grin*) to listen to what I and other young clergy have to say about the future of ministry (ha!).

To be fair—I’ve been blessed with a lot—a great church to serve and a wonderful city to live in, and a lot of opportunities to grow in my ministry. But I’m hungry. Hungry for so much more—people to know, folks to serve, wisdom to gain. So I often feel like I’m one of a dozen entry-level stewards on the ship yelling “Steer clear of the iceberg, steer clear of the iceberg!!” while everyone else in our mainline denomination is rearranging deck chairs on the ol’ Titanic.

So, I invite you to read this thing. Send me your thoughts; tell me when we can have coffee sometime. But more than anything, tell me how you’ve been touched by a first-century prophet who lived long ago, but still lives in you today. And if you don’t know him, I’ve got somebody for you to meet.