Reciting Creeds: Act of Humility and Justice

Creeds are interesting in that they serve several functions in the Christian tradition. For many they are seen as a litmus test for who is Christian and who is not. I would submit that this is a misuse of the creeds of our tradition and to distill their role as just a test we all sign off on cheapens the richness of the creeds. 

So what else are creeds? 

I would submit that reciting the creed in corporate worship is more an act of humility and justice rather than a way to decide who is in and who is out. The creeds stated in worship, for the most part, are older than the people speaking them today. And this highlights why recited creeds are an act of humility and justice. Because these words are not "our" words means that we must stop talking and speak the words of others. When we speak these words we are humbled with the reality that others might have something to teach us. 

Even more than that, when we give voice to the voiceless we participate in a act of justice. While the creeds are often written by those in power in their time, those people are no longer in power. Said another way, when we give voice to the powerless we recall all those who are powerless and voiceless. 

So when you say a creed, perhaps you do not believe all (or any) of the lines, that is okay. Say them anyway. Say them as a practice of humility and as an act of justice. Then go out into the world and continue works of humility so that justice may be made real for all. 

And perhaps, that is the greater goal of our creeds.

Too Busy Making Monsters to See Children of God

One Sunday July 10, 2016 I invited members of the church to join in a one day fast to consider ways in which we individually and collectively create monsters of other people. Objectify people is never a right thing. Objects are often used, consumed and dismissed. We never should make a human being into an object.

But objects are not the only thing that turn people into, we also turn people into monsters. When we make another person or a certain part of our own selves into a monster, we feel like we have a righteous cause and the moral justification to kill that monster. Just like the mob in Beauty and the Beast wanted to gather together to "kill the beast!" We will become that mob when a monster is present. 

Saul was a person who made others into monsters. The followers of the Way were not doing right by the tradition Saul was brought up in. These people claimed to the eat flesh and drink the blood of their leader. These “cannibals” worshiped a man named Jesus who was an enemy of Rome and even the Jewish leadership. Jesus was so bad that when given the option, the people chose to release a religious zealot named Barabbas instead of Jesus. These Christians knew their actions were evil which explained why they met in secret and even had secret codes and symbols. These Christians were, in the eyes of Saul, monsters. 

Saul's conversion moved Saul away from making and slaying monsters. But this conversion was not on his own doing. He had an encounter with Christ. He was struck blind and needed the help of others. He fasted for three days. When his sight was restored, he was eyelash to eyelash with one of these Christian "monsters". 

I believe that Paul's life is the archetypal Christian life and as such, the Christian must go through a conversion. While we cannot control the Spirit of conversion, we can make space for the Spirit to move us. While not formulaic, I asked anyone who would like to join me in a one day fast to reflect on ways we make monsters. In response to this invitation, I share with you some of the things I saw shared on Facebook.

It is my prayer that we might have a conversion from identifying people as monsters to identifying people as beautiful, beloved children of God. If it can happen to Saul/Paul it must happen in us.

The Bible is Full of Failure on Purpose

Rev. Amy Lippoldt opened worship at the South Central Jurisdictional (SCJ) Conference with a story from Deuteronomy. The main idea she articulated was tat the early people of God was to admit that their father (Jacob) was a wondering Aramean. This is important to remember not only because it reminds us of our roots, but also because it articulates a unique aspect of the Bible. 

When we read the histories of different nations, states, empires, and cultures we will find how these entities succeeded. Military victories, building accomplishments and economic achievements litter the tombs of the great civilizations of the past and present. However, the Bible is one of the few people in time that chronicles their story with stories of failure.

What does it mean to have a sacred book that reminds people of the failures and mistakes? What does it mean to pull a people together not under the banner of might and power and success but under the banner of weakness, powerlessness and flops? 

Are we a people that are willing to integrate and even, dare I say, celebrate the failures of our lives?

In The #SCJ2016 Room When It Happens

I have not seen Hamilton the musical, perhaps you have and if so I would love to hear your thoughts about it. As I sit here at the South Central Jurisdictional Conference in Wichita, Kansas, I cannot help but think about the song "In the Room When it Happens" from this hit musical. For those who have not heard this song, here ya go:

Burr wants to be in the room when these decisions are happening, but he is not. Hamilton is in these rooms in part because he has a clear vision of what the country could be in the coming future. Hamilton has a vision and a voice, while Burr seems to have skills that are not valued in this new thing being created. Burr does not have that vision but wants to be in the room nonetheless. 

In the SCJ meetings so far, there seems to be two types of people in the room: Those that have a clear vision of what the UMC needs to do/be and those who want to be in the room when it happens. Those with a vision state it and are willing to work for it. Those who want to be in the room often use language that diminishes the work of those with a vision.

Perhaps the most common example of language used by those who want to be in the room when it happens is some version of this: "I am not into the politics."

The word politics is tarnished right now, but the reality is politics is just the name we use to talk about the work it takes to get things done. Wikipedia defines politics as: " is the process of making uniform decisions applying to all members of a group." Those who have a vision are willing to do the work of decision making (politics) and those who are not doing the work are just in the room when it happens.

Of course all those in the room when it happens get a share of the glory and prestige. Those who are working and deciding take on a disproportionate amount of risk and potential shame. Which may explain why we have more Burrs than Hamiltons in our time.

I desire to be a leader who is not afraid of the work of decision making (politics) because that is how the work of the Body of Christ accomplishes a good number of things.

I want to be more Hamilton and less Burr, but right now I am just in the room while it happens.