Getting to know you - Christian style

Over the course of my time as a minister in the UMC I have seen two types of people. There are the people who want to get to know you and there are the people who want you to get to know them.  

This happens in conversation all the time when you meet someone new. This is not unique to clergy at all. Think when you were at a gathering and you were meeting new people. There are the people who are asking questions of you, in order to get to know you. They do little talking about themselves (unless asked then they will share). They are seemingly interested in getting to know you. 

And the paradox is that when you encounter a person who wants to get to know you, you actually get to know a lot about them.  

You learn about their hospitality, curiosity and social skills. You learn if they are a good listener, conversationalist and a lifetime learner. You learn what they are interested in based upon the questions they ask you and you learn part of their story because they identify their story is somehow interconnected with your story.  

Then there are the people you meet and they are very interested in making sure you get to know them. You are asked little about yourself and are mostly quiet during the exchange because you are hearing them speak about their travels, experiences, knowledge or accomplishments. It is  

And the paradox id that when you encounter a person who wants you to get to know them, you actually get to know a lot  about them - perhaps enough to actually not want to learn any more. And the relationship ends. 

Christians are followers of Jesus who was a guy who people sought out. And many times, Jesus asks all about the person who sought him out. And as he learned more about them, they desired to follow him. They wanted to learn more and foster a relationship. 

As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to learn about people, our neighbors, our enemies and our friends. We are not the center of the world nor the conversation. We are invited to be like Jesus and take a full investment into the lives of others. Which means we are called to be a people who gets to know you. 

How Hollywood and the Church are the same

Hollywood is a very formulaic town. They make things they know have worked in the past and will more than likely make money in the future. Which is why we have six of these horrible movies, four of these confusing movies, and three of these tearjerkers. 

The Hangover is literally the same story three times over! 

And TV is not immune to this effect either. Take a look at this little math equation:

American Idol = The Voice = America's Got Talent

For as much we might think that the movie or TV business if full of creative people and innovative ideas, it really is a very conservative town.  

The same is true for the Church. We tend to do thing that we know had success in the past. So we keep doing things exactly the same.  

Over. And over, And over. 

Back to Hollywood for a second. Everyone knows that the Office should have stopped before the last season was made. Even me, a fan of the show, admits the last season had very few good moments. But Hollywood knew it would 'sell' and so they made it.  And now the greatness of the show is tainted because of one 'should not have been made' season. 

The Church will do the exact same thing. We have a great idea, then we will run it into the ground until everyone is tired of it. Then we will, for tradition sake, keep on doing it.

Over. And over. And over.  

Until we are left with a ministry that no one wants to do, and it has drifted from the original brilliance and now limps along tarnishing the otherwise golden legacy it created.  

So I wonder how could it be that if the entertainment business is not very risk taking, and Churches set themselves up as entertainment producers then I suppose we will continue to function as Hollywood: Formulaic.

"Praise songs" coming to an end...

Just like Newtonian physics states, every action has an equal and opposite reaction, this includes not just apples falling on heads but also movements in culture.

NPR had a story the other day that gave a glimpse into the push back to "praise music" in the Christian Church. 

While this article is short it is worth a read.  I will give you a minute. Go ahead, I will wait. 

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The debate about worship music usually is limited these days to people's likes and dislikes. And that somewhat misses the point. While praise music is generally easy to sing and I have even been moved by the emotional aspects of this music, part of my joy of singing in worship is that it is different than the singing that I do in my car or in the shower or at the karaoke bar.

When we sing in worship we are not just singing with the people next to us. We are joining in on the song and music of the saints and sinners that come before us. We are joining in the melodies and songs of the ages past. Our voice unites with the voices that once sang loud in our sanctuaries and faith that our voice becomes lost and yet becomes larger.   

Praise songs are great and have their place to be sure, but that time may be coming to an end for now. Because in a world that is constantly changing and people are looking for things to "ground" them in the storms of change around us, songs that have deep roots give people a solid foundation to withstand the waters. 

Perhaps the "new" blended worship service is not a praise song or two and a hymn or two, but hymns that have been re-imagined. As they say, we are living in a mash up culture and when the church mashes up contemporary music influences with ancient lyrics you get greatness.