Worship: Less Six Flags, More Skiing

It is interesting to me that when I hear someone is going skiing, I get excited and wonder when I will go skiing myself.  However, when people share with me when they go to Six Flags (or Disney Land/World) I almost pity the poor soul.  The thing of it though is that Six Flags and skiing have a lot in common.

1. There is a lot of standing in lines in order to have short periods of excitement.
2. Each are expensive.
3. Food on the mountain and in Six Flags is unhealthy and kinda bad.
4. Rules inform the culture of the whole experience 
5. There are whimsical maps to direct the visitor

There are many other similarities, but that is not the point of this post.  The point of this post is there are major differences in Six Flags and skiing that make me desire skiing and generally avoid Six Flags.  The thing is, I see many of the Christian worship services I have attended seem to function more like Six Flags and less like skiing.  

I wish to participate in worship that is less like Six Flags and more like skiing.

1. While monetarily expensive, there is little more demanded of the Six Flag guest.  Skiing demands the guest not only pay money, but come prepared with equipment.  What would worship look like if there was a greater demand on people other than just "showing up?"
2. There is little empowering at Six Flags.  There are maps that people can follow to learn the lay of the park, but there are no classes to better oneself and you are left to overcoming your fears on your own.  However, in skiing there are ski lessons to help overcome your fears.  There are different "levels" of skiing runs that connect to the skill of the skier.  There are different types of lifts and even different types of equipment that connect to your skill level.  What would worship look like if there were different levels of "depth" participation?  
3. Each ride in Six Flags only has one "track" you can go on.  There is no flexibility in choosing if the roller coaster will go left or right.  The track is already put down.  Ski slopes have runs that are set, but within that run there are a number of routes one can take.  What would worship look like with greater personal flexibility and choice that 'fit' within the overall "run" of worship?

The metaphor is not perfect, and any metaphor taken to the limit breaks down, but, I wonder what worship looks like if it were less like Six Flags and more like skiing?

Skiing and community

If you have ever been snow skiing on a mountain with many strangers, then you may know about a skier' code.  It is a very loose list of which those who are on the mountain will enter into a social contract with the other skiers and live by them.  So things like, respect others space or those downhill have the right of way are general rules that make skiing more enjoyable for all.

But there are other unwritten observances that are present each time I go skiing.

First, while you ride the lift it is socially acceptable and expected that you will talk with the people you are riding with.  Small talk mostly, but when you are minister small talk can quickly turn to something else.  If you are on a lift and discover you are sitting with a minster, do not feel like you need to apologize for not going to church.  We are not packing clipboards checking off people as they give their excuse.  Also, do not feel afraid to share your religious views, most of us will not try to convert you but we do like your story.

Secondly, skiing on a mountain is a very quick and humbling reminder that there is a socio-economic divide.  I can count on my two hands the number of ethic minorities I have a seen yesterday and today skiing.  If you ever find yourself forgetting there are a ton of people who are without, just stand next to a ski line and see who is not there.

Third people trust one another when skiing.  Each time you go for a bite to eat or stop at the restroom, you take your skis and boards off and place them on a rack.  Much like a bike rack you see at parks, but these racks have tons of skis on them.  Not one of the skis are locked onto the rack.  Everyone leaves their stuff for a long time and trusts that they will be there when they return.  And guess what, they are always there.

Finally, I have noticed that those who work the mountain and those who work surf shops in Hawaii are the same type of people but they like the snow and not the surf.  

P.S. we were in line and something much like a flash mob broke out and sang Silent Night while everyone waited in line.

Acedia - My greatest personal concern

There are a number of things that I am weary of.  For instance, I am deeply concerned that the energy that I have for ministry will pass away as I get older.  I am concerned that any hint of creativity will pass away as I move into my 60's and beyond.  I am concerned that there will be a time for which I will not have the courage I need to do what I am called to do.  


Of all those many concerns, the concept of acedia is by far my most pressing and thought saturating.


I ran across this little bit from Spirituality for Ministry by Urban T. Holmes III.  Most of this is a direct quote, but there are some changes - I use the word minister while Holmes uses pastor/priest.   


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The besetting sin of the desert fathers was acedia, or accidie, tellingly described as “the devil of the noonday sun.”  Acedia is spiritual boredom, an indifference to matter of religion, or simple laziness.  The ancient sin of acedia lies at the root of the minister’s refusal to heed the calling to be the instrument of spiritual growth. 

American religion is obsessed with the “warm sins” such as illicit sex and gluttony.  Because many of us are Donatists – believing that the validity of the sacrament depends upon the moral character of its minister, which was condemned as heresy long ago – we become inordinately concerned when the warm sins are committed by the ordained.  The sins that should concern us far more deeply are those that prevent the ordained from ever exercising their spiritual vocation.  These “cold sins” truly violate the mission of the minister to be a symbol, symbol-bearer, and hermeneut.  They rise not from an excess of passion, but from a fear of passion.  They are the product of a calculated apathy, sustained only by the embers of a dying soul.  

Acedia is the root sin of the clergy as spiritual guides.  Like cancer that eats away at our abandonment to the love for God and God’s creation.  It takes a number of forms, which have much in common with those of the centuries but also have their own peculiar twist in our times.

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How does one keep from falling out of love with growing and maturing?  Acedia seems to transcend religion or tribe connection.  I have seen if have an impact with the Christian and the Agnostic and the Atheist.  I have seen acedia control the lives of the old (many of whom are just waiting to retire or die) as well as the lives of the young (many of whom spend hours playing video games or watching MTV trash).  

Life seems far too short, far too fragile and far to beautiful to be caught up in the trappings of acedia, and yet many of us (I count myself first and foremost) suffer under the oppression of acedia.  

‘I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to spit you out of my mouth. - Revelation 3