Reader's Review (in 500 Words or Less): Present Perfect: Finding God in the Now by Gregory Boyd

There is an ancient tradition stemming from 1 Thessalonians 5:17 to "pray without ceasing."  Since prayer is all about relationship with God, speaking to and hearing Jesus, the concept of "practicing his presence" is crucial for Christians looking to journey through life with Jesus.  The foundation for "pray without ceasing" stems from waking up to the present moment, or as Greg Boyd states, "The only thing that's real is this present moment, and the only thing that matters is waking up to God's presence- now."   

One of the insights that I greatly appreciated is the call to "wake up" to the now.  Boyd states that "the present moment is all that is real.  The past is gone.  The future is not yet.  We remember the past and anticipate the future, but we always do so in the present.  Reality is always now.  And the single most important aspect of reality is that God is present in it every moment.  To forget that God is present in any given moment is to forget the most important aspect of that moment."

However, while knowing that God is present in every moment, Greg is very humble in his approach to help get us all to the place of living in God's presence (and more importantly being aware of God's presence), confessing his own struggles and failures at practicing this concept while also giving insight into the profound awesomeness that happens when we are able to wake up to God's presence.  He incorporates using one's imagination in prayer (58), understanding our own vanity and the importance of God (65-67), how to motivate ourselves by God's love (72), what our true self-identity is and how to handle our thoughts (94 - "The real "you" is the "you" that is defined by God's love, not the indicting thought"), and weaves in how practicing God's presence ultimately leads to submission and obedience in the most important "task of every present moment... is to love God and one's neighbor as oneself" (106).

Finally, the reason why we practice the presence of God is elaborated upon, in that the "purpose of staying attentive to the present moment is to cultivate a loving relationship with God" (158).  Love flows out of this relationship in faith that incorporates works.

Summary: This is a great book of reflections, exercises, and modern day experiences about "practicing God's presence."  It is definitely for anyone looking to further their relationship with Jesus by "praying unceasingly."  The insights into our present day U.S. American culture, habits, and identity issues, combined with pulling key understandings from earlier Christian Mystics (such as Brother Lawrence, Jean-Pierre de Caussade, and Frank Lubach) make this book a contemporary classic.  It's also only $5.98 on Amazon Kindle...an incredible price for the insights into the Christian life given here.

Book Reviewed: Boyd, Gregory.  Present Perfect: Finding God in the Now. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010.  

Struggling with Scripture: 1 John 2:15-17

A reflection on Scripture through a letter and a prayer.  

Dear Lord Jesus,

I do not want to love the world or the things in the world, for I know your love is not in those who love the world.  Yet, I can't help but love your people and this beautiful creation that you have made as a reflection of your imagination and glorious splendor.  I enjoy your food, the pleasures you have given us, and the pleasures that we have made with the tools of intelligence and invention that you have furnished. 

Perhaps though we move to quickly to what is thought of as the "world."  That which is the "world" as seen by John is those things that the flesh desires, the desires of the eyes, and the pride in riches.  I am humbled beyond reckoning at this use of "worldly."  I have to ask myself, am I proud of the things I buy?  Am I greedy?  At first I compare myself to the society around me and I say, "Well, I'm not that bad."  Yet, my "to buy list" always seems to have something on it, always leaves me with one more thing that is a "necessity." 

I think I am proud of these things, or why would I buy them?  Not only this, but I am a glutton who eats far more than necessary - I look with my eyes and the desire of the flesh and consume until there is nothing left.  I use "my time" poorly, for most of my time is focused on things that have no value at all - things that will perish just as readily as stuff that I regularly throw away.

Lord, I find myself caught in an endless cycle.  May your grace consume me and make me new, may your love drive me to change, may your love be focused on doing your will.  Teach me as you would a child, be patient with my unhearing ears, my greedy eyes, and my unmoving feet.  Lord, craft me and mold me into your reflection, that I may look like Jesus. 

Love, 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Everyone!  As we remember that Jesus Christ was born into the world, let us praise his glorious name, Immanuel - God is with us!

Reader's Review (in 500 Words or Less): The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann

The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann is a delightfully challenging book that looks to see how the prophets in the Bible can speak to our current context in the United States of America.  His hypothesis is simply this: "the task of prophetic ministry is to nurture, nourish, and evoke a consciousness and perception alternative to the consciousness and perception of the dominant culture around us" (3).   Brueggemann proposes throughout that the United States is analogous in many ways to empire, that the culture of consumerism we live in is all pervasive, and that the church has become tired, weak, and worn because of identification with and saturation in this dominant culture.

In many ways, it is the prophets' ministry to break through to people and help to free them from the numbness that the empire requires to operate, to break through to people's hearts in order to stir them to create a new community that Jesus proposes.  Beginning with Moses and tracing through various prophets such as Jeremiah and Isaiah, Brueggemann arrives at Jesus as the final prophet explored.

There are several crucial ideas that stick with me from reading this book, especially the following points.  First, the language of grief helps prophets cut through "the royal numbness and denial" and allows people to identify what needs to collapse so the new Kingdom may enter in (46).  Along these lines, Brueggamnn states that "the riddle and insight of biblical faith is the awareness that only anguish leads to life, only grieving leads to joy, and only embraced endings permit new beginnings" (56). 

Second, prophets energize people to trust God and allow the new to supplant the old regime.  Brueggemann proposes that "the royal consciousness leads people to despair about the power to move toward new life.  It is the task of prophetic imagination and ministry to bring people to engage the promise of newness that is at work in our history with God" (59-60).  This impacts us directly today.  How many of us can see a way to escape consumerism, to live for each other and with each other when we work crazy hours, how many can see the way to not condemning by the law but living a life of service for each other that might cost us our lives?  In order to inspire, the prophet must then "bring to public expression those very hopes and yearnings that have been denied so long and suppressed so deeply that we no longer know they are there" (65).   

Finally, Jesus presents an alternative community and identifies with marginal people and the anguish that is denied in so many societies (81). Beautifully, the resurrection is the "ultimate act of prophetic energizing in which a new history is initiated" (113).

One Line Summary: Buy this book, read it slowly, pray over it!

Book Reviewed: Brueggemann, Walter. The Prophetic Imagination. Second Edition. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2001.

On Bended Knee

This weekend I went to the movies to see the Hobbit part 2: The Desolation of Smaug with my wonderful girlfriend.  I generally don't make it to the movies very often anymore.  I get bored very quickly, I find most plot lines boring and see-through, and feel antsy to stand up or curl up and pull out my Kindle to read something interesting during most movies.  The Hobbit, while long, was quite satisfying however.

Anyway, during the initial trailers for different movies, the screen flashed to an epic ancient Greek war scene, and I immediately became excited - this was the new   300 movie, 300: Rise of an Empire.  While noting my excitement over a war movie and asking the question, "Why is a pacifist getting excited about this?" I noted a distinct and very Americanized phrase tearing from the lips of one of the soldiers in the movie:  "Better we show them, we chose to die on our feet than live on our knees."  The movie trailer than portrays war as a way to keep freedom, do justice, and have vengeance all in one breathe.

I thought to myself immediately, "Therein lies the problems for Christians that many of us do not see, especially U.S. Christians. For Christians, we already live on a bended knee to THE LORD, Jesus Christ.  The issue then is not fighting to keep our freedom or stay out of servitude - we are already in servitude to Jesus and find our freedom in this service as well.  The real issue is that we refuse to kill to protect us from going into another's service.   We can neither be in another's service because we are already submitted to Jesus, nor should we balk at serving others - that is what we should be doing already. " We would die to stay in the service of Jesus, but can never bend the knee to another authority because we already live on bended knee to Jesus; at the same time, we are already serving others, just as Christ did.  

Simply something to think about as we continue to walk our on journey with Christ.  

Image taken from:

http://collider.com/wp-content/uploads/300-rise-of-an-empire-poster.jpg

Struggling with Scripture: Hosea 10:11-15

I have been taught throughout Seminary that the process of becoming Christ like is one of transformation, especially being transformed by dwelling in and receiving Jesus' love.  I believe this completely - I find God's love much like the sun, giving warmth, light, and food to me who is much like a plant - needing the sun for life,  food, warmth, and being unable to grow without the sun's light (remember this is a metaphor and does not play out perfectly).

However, I also know and struggle with our own working out of our salvation with fear and trembling, acting out God's love in the world - empowered by God but working hard as well.  Hosea 10:11-15 helps me to articulate this struggle.  Ephraim, the major tribe in the northern kingdom of Israel, loves to rebel but God says, "I will make Ephraim break the ground" as in plow fields; this is then extended to the major tribe in the southern kingdom, Judah. 

Then God, after saying, "I will make," now says, "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you."  God, in the divine mystery and complexity, seems to be here about partnership - action on Judah's part in righteousness (acting out mercy and justice) will allow them to reap steadfast love bound within covenant to God; however, the Lord helps with this if we seek him, that he may come and "rain righteousness" upon us.

Yet, I wonder how many of us fall because we refuse to seek the Lord, to sow mercy and justice.  Instead we have a tendency towards sin (OK, more than a tendency) and we reap injustice from our wickedness.  Hosea further critiques all nations in verse 13 "Because you have trusted in your power and in the multitude of your warriors, THEREFORE the tumult of war shall rise against your people and all your fortresses shall be destroyed."  Ultimately, the nation of Israel is ended "utterly cut off" (historically this would be the extinction of the northern kingdom) because they trusted in their military might instead of in God (sound familiar?).  

Praise be to the Divine Trinity who blazed a new trail for us in the cross and resurrection, who rains mercy and grace upon us, and who helps us to work with love for righteousness. Lord...teach us to sow righteousness so we may reap steadfast love, teach us to seek you that you may rain down righteousness upon us.

Confession of Faith: Wrap it Up!

Wow!  Twenty-four confessions of faith and almost a month later and we have finally made it through!  I wonder, which is the confession of faith that you struggle most with?  Which is the one(s) that you don't understand? 

I know at different periods of my life these do come out simply as confessions.  Perhaps I don't understand them all, or perhaps I have doubts about some of them at different periods.  Yet confessing these points as truth helps to bring a sense of stability and faith even in the midst of busyness, doubts, questions, implications, and orthopraxy (or the living out of the Gospel as traditionally practiced). 

It's important to keep coming back to these confessions and reading them or speaking about them out loud.  They provide a mirror by which we can see our own thoughts, actions, and biblical interpretations and see if there is any room for humble questioning or correction among them.  The most important thing to do is to keep coming back to Jesus Christ.  He is really what it is all about!

The confessions of faith are beautiful confessions based on biblical scripture.  I hope you enjoyed these reflections!  Moving forward we will be tackling difficult concepts, Scripture passages, and book reviews. Let's keep on sojourning together!

Confession of Faith: Reign of God

Our last post about the Mennonite confession is the reign of God.  Mennonites place their hope in the reign of God and in its fulfillment in the day when Christ comes again to judge the living and the dead, gather his church, resurrect the dead, claim and renew creation under God's rule.  We confess that Jesus proclaimed the nearness of God's reign and its future realization, its healing and its judgment.  Yet we also believe that we are called to live out the Kingdom rule here and now, to be a first-fruit of Kingdom life.

As to anything more, we don't affirm or deny what or how God will make the end come about.  Personally, the only thing I will state is, "Jesus Christ is going to return, fulfilling his promise of a new Kingdom rule, of resurrection, of eternal life, and a renewal of all things."  While I grew up extremely interested in the end times, looking for signs of the coming end, tracing prophecies and mapping out the symbols of Revelation with figures of today, something happened that changed all of the searching and longing: I experienced Jesus Christ's love.

Now I am far more interested in how to love Jesus and others now then I am worried about later.  I look towards the end with hope, but am less interested in how it's going to happen than the simple understanding that it will happen.   I spent too much energy and time trying to figure out the how about the end - and missed the point of life: a relationship with Jesus now.  Instead, I find the end to be much more to be about the hope that comes from knowing Jesus will return - this helps me live for God today, to pick up the cross today, to take the journey into the depths of God in order to better love God and the world around me.

Paul expresses this notion in his confession in 1 Corinthians 15:17-34.  He speaks about how the only hope is in the fact that Christ has already risen from the dead and is returning to take the rule of the world, to raise those who live in Jesus.  Then he states starting in verse 30, "And why are we putting ourselves in danger every hour?  I die every day!...If with merely human hopes I fought with wild animals at Ephesus, what would I have gained by it?  If the dead are not raised, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.'" I imagine Paul confessing this with pain and anguish, with a near broken heart glued together by hope and love of Jesus - especially the confession of "I die every day!"

This is the hope, the faith - Jesus will return to rule and renew all things.  The question is, "How will we live today in light of that hope?"

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 24 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-24-the-reign-of-god/

Confession of Faith: The Church's Relation to Government and Society

The Mennonites believe that the church is God's holy nation, with Jesus as its King and Lord who demands total and complete allegiance.  Governments in nations of the world have been instituted by God for maintaining order in societies, but tend to demand total allegiance as well - and no person can serve two masters or two lords.  However, Christians are to respect government authority and pray for all people.  We (Christians) can live in obedience to the government as long as it obeys by the laws of love that Christ has set for the church; if the two contradict, we must live Jesus' commands, not government laws.

However, I (there are mixed opinions among Mennonites as a whole) affirm participation in government in so far as our jobs or positions do not break the law of love set up by Jesus.  I find Shane Claiborne's prayer over a solider (in Jesus for President) to be very helpful for helping all people decide whether or not their career (in government or out of government) to be Christ-like: pray the fruits of the Spirit and ask, "Can this position help me to, or allow me to express and cultivate, the fruits of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control?" (Galatians 5:22-23).  If not, then we will want to re-think our career choice in order to live for Jesus with all of our lives and not just parts of it.

A second thing to think about is how the church relates itself to policy making in governments which rule over believers and non-believers alike.  There is a plethora of different opinions among many smart, Biblically-orientated Christians on this issue.  Mennonites, I believe, would be cautious in this regard.  We want to speak into the government's life truth, caution, and love of Jesus and humanity; yet, we want to remain dedicated to Jesus Christ and him alone.

I personally struggle with this issue.  I am uncertain if it is our (Christians) place to demand obedience to a Christ-like life over non-believers through government laws.  I actually think dependence on the government strips the church of much of its power to help and show love to the hurting and poor...instead we push it off to the government to fix and solve.  The poor, instead of looking to the church for salvation, looks to the government for provision and ignores the church.  Instead of living a life different from those around us because of Jesus, we end up pushing laws through the government that forces everyone to look the same...at times this is to the detriment of the Kingdom of God because what is passed in law is not necessarily what Jesus' taught.  Certainly things such as murder, stealing, drug-dealing, violence and rape, and protection of the innocent is part of a governments duty, and should be.  However, I struggle with where we draw the line as Christians in our involvement with government.  Something to think on as we reflect on our life-journey towards and with Christ.

Want to learn more? Here is Article 23 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-23-government/

Confession of Faith: Peace, Justice, and Nonresistance

The Mennonites believe that peace is the will of God, best revealed in and through God's son Jesus Christ.  As Jesus resisted evil without violence, living the command to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you," we do the same.  We give our ultimate allegiance and loyalty to Jesus Christ, resisting evil non-violently (but not passively), pursuing justice in every way, and declaring all forms of violence as evil.  We work for justice through healing, reconciliation, and restoration.

As Bruxy Cavey, pastor of The Meeting House in Canada, continually states through sermons on peace and justice "Peace means that we are willing to die for a cause but we aren't willing to kill for a cause."  This is not cowardice: nobody would say that Jesus tackling evil head on through the cross and his death was a cowardly act.  It takes great courage, great love of God, and great trust in Jesus.

Peace comes from a deep and profound since of God's love for us - not just for ourselves but for every human being, all of whom are made in the image of God.  We are willing to be crucified on another's behalf, but are not willing to kill someone else whom God loves.

This is the call of the Kingdom of God in a world which likes to see themselves as God's "righteous hand of justice and fury" who like to "speak softly and carry a really big stick."  It is natural to want to retaliate against those who harm us, to want to inflict punishment on wrong doers, to enact the best defense of the innocent (and the best defense is a really strong offense of course!).  Yet, that is not the straight and narrow path that Jesus showed us; instead Jesus showed us the cross and told his followers to pick it up and follow him.

This is difficult to swallow and difficult to understand.  But I think a spiritual discipline here can help us to understand this - pray the prayer of St. Patrick and imagine everyone you meet to have Christ in them - even those who are seeking to harm you.  Then stop imagining, and when you are out and about, look at each person as someone made in the image of Christ, however lost they may be. How would we then act?

The prayer of St. Patrick:

Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,

Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,

Christ on my right, Christ on my left,

Christ where I lie, Christ where I sit, Christ where I arise,

Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,

Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,

Christ in every eye that sees me,

Christ in every ear that hears me.

Salvation is of the Lord.

Salvation is of the Christ.

May your salvation, Lord, be ever with us.

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 22 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-22-peace/

Bruxy Cavey's excellent sermons on peace are available on YouTube by searching "Peaceworks."  The first episode is linked below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuTBiX_rO_Q&list=PL7P2ScxKfB0AIV4zAJyYhVyeXU0OSErHT

Confession of Faith: Stewardship

Mennonites confess that all things belong to God - including stuff we legally own.  Stewardship is about how we take care of, handle, and use all that God has placed around us while we are journeying in this life.  This includes everything the church, our talents/gifts/abilities, our time, our money, our possessions, our bodies, our minds, our hearts Jesus' has given us, our world, our friends, our families and all else is under our stewardship - given to us for a time to use for God and to take care of, but not to keep.

Stewardship can sometimes be a difficult practice to implement.  How are we good stewards of our money?  It's often difficult to navigate the waters of how much we give, to whom, how much we save for later or emergencies, and how much we need to live on  It's difficult to partition our time.  How much do we work, play, rest, spend time with God, and serve?  It's difficult to care for our bodies - portion our food, eat healthy, eat small amounts at a sitting.  It's difficult to serve and care for our world - we have so much else to do.

In the United States it is difficult to be stewards because we have so much - in fact we have too much.  Everyday moves faster than the last with more to do and more places to go, more things to buy that are half as useful as what we have, more information we absorb with half as much truth, doing twice the work half as well as we could.  We work more for less, we pay more for things that ultimately don't matter, we are caught in the cycle of consumerism and can't break out.  In this situation, stewardship takes hard work in order to break out of the cycle of our culture to submit all we have into God's hands and use all that we have for God.

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 21 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-21-stewardship/

Confession of Faith: Truth and Avoidance of Oaths

We, the Mennonites, commit ourselves to speaking truth with a simple "yes" or "no," avoiding the use of oaths.  We look to tell the truth, avoid profane language, attempt to compel God to guarantee the future through our oath.  We also give our allegiance to Jesus Christ, thereby avoiding oaths of allegiance to other things or people which may contradict our first allegiance to Jesus.

One of the most profound parts of this confession of faith are these words: "An oath is often sworn as a guarantee that one is telling the truth.  This implies that when one has not taken an oath, one may be less careful about telling the truth."  What this means is that if we swear oaths a lot in order to reinforce that we are telling the truth ("I promise I saw it!" or "I promise this time I'll be there!" or "I swear this happened...") we are elevating those portions of our speech above all of our other words as "more truthful" or "insisting they are true."  However, as the above confession points out, this simply implies that what we say at other times isn't as true, or is less trustworthy then, words we have said under oath.

This is quite profound for our society today.  In a job that I used to work, I used to hear oaths sworn on a regular basis as to someone's honesty in a matter - and have someone behind them swear the exact opposite thing happened.  We have arrived (or have already been) at a place where oaths aren't even a promise of truth, but everything is now suspect. 

Into this culture, Mennonites say, "We love you enough to truth-tell straight out.  We take responsibility for our actions, right or wrong, for where we have been and what we do.  You can trust us at our word." 

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 20 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-20-truth/

Confession of Faith: Family, Singleness, and Marriage

The Mennonites believe that God intends humans to begin families and be blessed by them; in fact, all humans were created for relationship. Mennonites believe that marriage is a covenant between one man and one woman for life.  Family does not necessitate marriage however; the church is a place where people are family to one another, whether single or married, regardless of sexual orientation or single/married/divorced status - we are all walking the journey to Christ-likeness together.  We hold that being married or being single are equally good paths in life as long as we are following Jesus.

This is a powerful and controversial statement in today's society, one that can be hurtful if approached in the wrong manner.  Often, discussions on marriage or singleness simply boil down to who we are having sex with instead of looking at God's will for human life.  Humans are meant to live in relationship with one another, seeing each other as children of God who are worth-filled because God loves us.  If we saw each other as made in God's image, instead of someone who is sinning in a taboo way or is the next fulfillment of our pleasure, our relationships would change drastically.  If we also stopped condemning others but seeing everyone as on a journey towards Jesus (including ourselves), we would see that Jesus works in each of us one step at a time - none of us become sinless in a day.  It is important to note that both a single life and a married life are on equal ground in the New Testament - both are held as worthy paths to take in life.

Yet, an ever present and controversial issue for today falls upon the issue of marriage as a covenant between one man and one woman for life.  I confess that we as a church (universal) have not been loving enough about this, but we are growing in Christ all the time.  Jesus, when speaking about divorce in Matthew 19, places his stamp of approval on marriage between one man and one woman.   Anything outside of this box is considered "sin" just as all wrong doing is considered "sin."  Perry Noble, pastor of NewSpring church, points out that sex outside of marriage (regardless of orientation) is wrong, but is also simply one sin among many sins all of us do, that our salvation still lies in the same place - Jesus Christ - and that Jesus himself was tempted by every sin (Hebrews 4:14-16). We are all children of God, all have sinned, and all have the same path to redemption and transformation: Jesus Christ.

We'll eventually tackle more of the issues surrounding marriage, divorce, and singleness in this blog.  I wanted to touch upon one of the more controversial issues here (sex outside of marriage), in this post.  Know that this is a subject that many people have deep wounds regarding - I confess the Mennonite confession with love, standing in the same place as everyone else: a sinner before the throne of grace.

Want to learn more? Here is Article 19 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-19-marriage/

Confession of Faith: Christian Spirituality

Happy Thanksgiving (a day late, but better than not at all!)!!

Christian Spirituality is about living in Jesus and Jesus living in us.  It's about a relationship with the Holy Spirit filled with love.  When we live with Holy Spirit, we find our source of power, our source of energy, our source of life.  We suddenly begin to see Jesus in other people, we find the source of peace in all circumstances, we discover that life is more than just what culture, our job, or our current state of being defines it to be.

 

Life...true life..stems from living with Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.  Christian "spirituality" then has often taken the forms of spiritual disciplines...fasting, studying Scripture, silence, solitude, worship, celebration, and praying.  Among these, I find the two most important to be studying Scripture and praying, but the others should not be missed.  However, it's difficult to practice them all at once!  We can find deep joy in practicing each discipline in turn, or by utilizing certain disciplines in certain periods of our lives. 

For myself, my recent spiritual journey has been practicing and becoming better at fasting (partial fast, I still drink fluids, including a meal replacement health shake).  Multiple times over the past three to four years I swore that I would never give up eating food (I do P90X and currently another workout program and am incessantly hungry even when I eat large meals...yes this is gluttony, and yes God is working on me). About a year ago a friend asked me to fast for a certain cause and, deeply sighing, I agreed.

Since then, my life has radically changed in a multitude of ways...it is as if a barrier or heavy curtain blocking my path from moving in life was suddenly removed and lifted.  I am not even good at fasting - I sometimes forget to pray, I honestly am not sure what it does for God, and sometimes it leads to a binge of food the following day.  But fasting, because of God's love, mercy, and grace, has molded me to be less concerned about material things, has helped me greatly with self control, and has deepened my relationship with Jesus.  And for God?  Who knows what it does...maybe it's just the fact that we are willing to do something more to spend time with him and get to know him...or maybe it gives God a break from providing food for us for a day...or maybe God simply appreciates having love shown to him through these acts of discipline.  Fasting has become very important for my spiritual journey. 

Christian Spirituality is living life in the Holy Spirit...it's about a love relationship, not necessarily "discipline," but a shared life.  Will you commit to it?  God can work through it greatly in our lives, if we let him. 

Want to learn more? Here is Article 18 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-18-spirituality/

Confession of Faith: Discipleship and the Christian Life

Mennonites confess that when we are saved by Jesus Christ we begin a life long journey of following the one we now have claimed and received as our Lord and Savior.  This is a process of learning, of being empowered by the Holy Spirit, of experiencing God through church, Scripture, prayer, and other spiritual disciplines, and of diligently striving for God's kingdom while allowing grace to enter into our lives.

Discipleship is about a partnership between us and God - of allowing God to transform us and us learning to obey and walk with Jesus each and every day.  Part of this walk is becoming more and more like Jesus Christ, transformed into his image one step at a time.  This includes not going along with what the world says (carefully evaluating culture and traditional wisdom), loving everyone (yes even those we don't want to love or who are difficult to love), being honest in our words (who needs oaths when you actually say what you mean in the first place?), of living in peace (even unto our deaths, following the example of Jesus), and even not worrying about our reputations (Jesus was called a glutton and a drunkard who ate with sinners). 

Discipleship is a difficult process, one that requires a lot of God's work in us (which usually doesn't happen overnight, but it does from time to time), a lot of effort on our part, and a lot of perseverance.  Yet, this is not a journey walked alone - traveling together towards Christ is what church is all about.  Mistakes will be made - when they are, fall into God's grace.  Take care of yourself, by which I mean make sure to simply spend time with God - don't just do-do-do go-go-go.  Remember Jesus love for us, and allow him to transform...don't work in your own power, but work in God's.

Discipleship - the process of becoming like Jesus in community.  This is ever the goal of the church ...grow in size, grow in love, grow in Jesus.  Yet, discipleship is also something more.  Discipleship is growing in love for Jesus and others...it's about growing relationships with love, not just gaining a certain set of characteristics.

Want to learn more? Here is Article 17 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-17-discipleship/

Confession of Faith: Church Order and Unity

The image to the right seems to be what goes on in many churches and in fact in many people's lives..."My way or the Highway, I am right and only one of us can be."  Confessing church order and unity in the Mennonite church is to confess that we are fallen and broken human beings with a tendency to move in our own directions and sometimes even leave churches when we disagree with what is happening.  In order to help keep the love of one another before all else, we confess and abide by certain processes in order to maintain unity.

However, church order and unity is more than this: it is a belief that we are all members of one body to which Jesus Christ is the head and the foundational cornerstone.  Since we are all one body, even if we are many different parts who think and even act differently, we seek the best ways to work with each other in love and grace. 

In a world that quickly fractures, Mennonites speak a word of strength together, of holding onto a firm foundation (Jesus) and allowing other things to be decided in time.  One of the fastest ways communities fracture is when major shifts or changes take place.  To help combat this, Mennonites say, "Slow down!  It is better to wait on the Lord then to make hasty decisions."  This seems to me to be lost in much of U.S. America today - we want decisions made and they should be made now.  Instead...slow down...the Lord might have a word for us if we wait on the King to speak.

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 16 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-16-church-order-and-unity/

Image from: heargodspeak.blogspot.com

Confession of Faith: Ministry and Leadership

Mennonites believe that ministry and leadership is all about continuing the work of Christ through the gifts of the Holy spirit who empowers all believers for service in the church and in the world.  There are particular persons called to specific leadership ministries and offices, accountable to God and the community of faith, but all are called to serve in building up the body of Christ in love and witnessing about Jesus in the world.

One of the awesome things about Mennonite ministry and leadership is the emphasis on equality among sexes, ethnicities, and age groups.  Everyone is called to serve in some capacity while those called to specific offices and leadership ministries serve through those positions.

A second delightful aspect is the note that all people are called to serve outside the church.  Blessedly, this means for people in particular offices are called to equip people for better service, not to do everything on their own. 

This is important, especially in a society that is slowly and continually moving the impetus of action onto leaders, even if we distrust those leaders.  More and more government assistance is being given out, with folks hating the system but not really helping others to the extent we could either.  We dislike what is going on, but instead of modeling change in our own lives, we simply complain to the government or leaders to change it. 

Mennonites believe it takes both - leaders and congregants, working together to follow Christ in order to minister to the world.   

Want to learn more? Here is Article 15 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-15-ministry-and-leadership/

Confession of Faith: Discipline in the Church

Today I will begin with a quote from the Mennonite confession: "We believe that the practice of discipline in the church is a sign of God's offer of forgiveness and transforming grace to believers who are moving away from the faithful discipleship or who have been overtaken by sin."  While seemingly simple, this complex statement is powerful for us today because we are in a place where we do not like correction (what correction?  You are right and I am right, because what is right for you is not what is right for me!); we do not like to be called to obedience; we hate to be called sinful; we certainly don't appreciate some community not understanding my story and judging us - in fact they don't know us!

As a pastor, I have heard all of the above before from a multitude of different sources.  And in some cases, I do side with the person giving those excuses because in many ways, church has gotten church discipline wrong.  So let's unpack "church discipline."  First, church discipline is a corrective action meant to help a believer follow Jesus better.  Church discipline is a forgiving, redeeming, and renewing process meant to helpfully guide someone in the church back to following Christ.  For example, someone who is committing adultery would be disciplined by church leadership with some of the following: being removed from leadership for a time of seeking and focusing on God, being encouraged and helped in the process of reconciliation with their wife including ending the affair, having some spiritual disciplines suggested, and being mentored by an elder or pastor during this process.

However, the tricky part (and scary part for leadership!) is that if the discipline is approached in less than a loving manner (and even in a loving manner), the person being disciplined can easily and swiftly move on to the next church.  Therefore, church discipline is a two way street: both parties need to act upon and desire to be reconciled to Christ for it to work.  Both parties need to be committed to each other.

Second, church discipline as been abused.  The amount of stories I have heard about people being thrown out of church for having a child out of wedlock is absurd.  When sin happens (and it happens to all of us, public or private), reconciliation and help is required of the church, urging repentance on the part of the sinner, but walking alongside them as well.

Finally, church discipline is not to be given to those who don't know Christ, even if they know the church.  Pastor Perry Noble of NewSpring church puts it this way: "How can we expect non-believers to act any differently if they don't know Jesus?"  Many times people (perhaps intending good, but doing harm) want people to act like followers of Christ when they have no clue who Christ is; we want people to submit to church discipline and repent when they aren't a part of the church body. 

Ultimately, church discipline is the body of Christ helping a participant in church to repent and reconcile with God. 

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 14 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-14-discipline-in-the-church/

Image from http://www.swartzentruber.com/mennonite/pages-pop-mennonite-art-gallery/12-excommunication-church-discipline.htm

Confession of Faith: Footwashing

There are few things as humbling as having your feet washed by another person, especially in today's US America.  It is simply an awkward process...my feet are either dirty from going bare-foot in the spring, summer, and early fall, or they cold, splattered with sock-lint, and perhaps sweaty from being stuffed into a pair of boots during the fall and winter months.  And there are few acts of service more humbling than washing another person's feet, which generally have the same issues as my feet.

Footwashing, as modeled by Jesus in John 13, is an essential act of love and service for Mennonites.  Mennonites believe that when we wash each other's feet we share in the body of Christ, acknowledging our need to be cleansed, renewing our willingness to let go of pride and power, and offer our lives in humble service and sacrificial love.

The first time I became aware of this practice was at Messiah College.  During a chapel service, they placed chairs and full basins of water in front of the chairs with stacks of towels next to the chairs.  I remember a friend and I went up together to wash each other's feet .  I admit it was weird, uncomfortable, and humbling (an honestly who likes to be humbled?).  It was also one of the most valuable and meaningful practices I have been a part of. 

If you want to give it a try, traditionally footwashing services are held every Maundy Thursday (the day before Good Friday) at Anabaptist churches (Mennonite; Brethren; Brethren in Christ being three denominations considering themselves Anabaptists).  They can also be held quarterly, or whenever deemed appropriate by a congregation...make sure to check one out!

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 13 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-13-foot-washing/

Confession of Faith: The Lord's Supper

The Lord's supper, or communion, is a practice of actively remembering the work of Jesus Christ done on the cross, his resurrection, and his continued work in the church.  Mennonites believe that this is a renewal of our covenants with God, a time of remembrance, and a time of looking forward in joy and hope to the feast of Christ in the age to come.

Communion is a vital aspect of the life of the church and participation therein.  Wonderfully, Mennonites see a powerful theology in three interlocking aspects of communion.  First, communion is actively remembering the work of Jesus Christ - his body and blood given for us and the resurrection three days later.   Second, this remembering causes us to renew our covenants with God, refreshing and helping us to continue striving for the Kingdom of God here on earth in these present moments.  Third, as we are remembering and we are renewed, we are given a foretaste of the coming Kingdom, the total renewal of all things by Jesus at the end of days.

This speaks in a powerful way, invoking in us God's presence, locating God in the past, present, and future, allowing us to take part in the kingdom in a visible way.  In US America, we tend to allow other things to take over our understanding of ritual as they are co-opted by the world to make a dollar.  Easy examples of this are Easter and Christmas.  Yet, the world hasn't been able to reap riches off of communion quite yet...instead communion has simply become a "cracker and juice."  The repeated nature of the act has made it meaningless.

Into this, Mennonites proclaim communion is filled to bursting with meaning.  All we have to do is take part in it.

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 12 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/article-12-the-lords-supper/

Confession of Faith: Baptism

Mennonites believe that baptism is an important sign of believing in Jesus, being cleansed from sin, declaring publicly that one is committed to following Jesus, and willing to offer one's life even to death for Jesus.  To summarize in the words of my old pastor and one of my mentors Keith Tyson, "Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change."

One of the distinctive parts of Anabaptists, and therefore Mennonites, is the idea that children need to reach an age of accountability before they can be baptized (adult baptism to the exclusion of infant baptism).  This means someone must freely request to be baptized in response to Jesus Christ (babies cannot request this, so we can't baptize babies).

The issue of adult baptism or infant baptism is usually hotly debated between differing denominations, and historically has been the cause of many church splits.  One of the main questions that pops up is, "What if a baby tragically dies and is not baptized?  What will happen to the baby?"  I find myself in the position of simply relying and trusting in Jesus Christ, who shows himself merciful, good, and loving in every regard.  Therefore, does a baby, or a child before the age of accountability need to be baptized in order to get to heaven?  I seriously doubt it, for God's mercy is truly great and good. 

On the flip side, Mennonites do dedicate babies to God - a statement made by the parents publicly that they will raise the child to believe in Jesus as best as can be done.  Oddly, this seems to be the purpose of baptism among those who baptize as infants - many infant baptism denominations later have a period of discernment called "Confirmation," where the faith is learned and committed to before one can have communion. 

Ultimately, we believe baptism is a public declaration of a free choice and commitment to follow Christ, of being forgiven sin, and of dying to this world and raising with Christ.

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 11 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-11/

Confession of Faith: The Church in Mission

What is the churches mission?  Sometimes the church becomes misrepresented in what its mission actually is,

especially by human error, like the picture to the right.  Is church a place to lay down the law and hear how sinful we are?  Is church the place to map out the future end of times?  What is the church supposed to do?

Mennonites believe that the church is called to proclaim and to be a sign of the kingdom of God.  We witness Jesus Christ through word and lifestyle, walking together through life as disciples of one teacher (Jesus), and seek to witness among all people - from all nations and ethnic backgrounds.

Witnessing is the best of words to choose when discussing the mission of God.  A witness is someone who has or is seeing a certain event or action, then tells or shows others about that event.  We tell people about Jesus Christ and what he has done for us, and the relationship we have with him; what we avoid is theological arguments surrounding rhetorically aggressive questions that we may or may not know the answer to.

Witnessing includes following Jesus' sacrificial life, as seen in the gospels.  Especially important to Mennonites is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).  However, I also find that in following Jesus the Mennonites are following in the footsteps of the prophets, such as Isaiah.  In Isaiah 58, the text says, "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?  Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house, when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?"  The Mennonites strive diligently to do these very things. 

The church in mission is nothing more and nothing less than loving God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and with all our strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.  This love relationship with Jesus and others entails the church in mission...both its proclamation and action, never just one, always both.

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 10 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-10/

Picture found here:

http://jrwoodward.net/2012/11/monday-morning-medicine-257/

Confession of Faith: Church of Jesus Christ

Mennonites believe that the Church is an assembly of those who have accepted the offer of salvation through Jesus Christ who are then a part of a new and distinct community called disciples, witnessing about the reign of God, accountable to one another, a family united under the headship of Jesus expressing itself in continual love, the visible manifestation of Jesus Christ.

It's amazing how often we "get church wrong."  Stories are pretty much boundless about the hurt and grief people experience in church.  We hear about churches where pastors molest children; where people are "cast out" and abandoned because of sin (when actually that is when people need the most help and love!); where strict codes and interpretations are enforced instead of being lead by Jesus' transforming grace and love.  As Perry Noble, pastor of NewSpring church says (paraphrased) "Church is the only army that shoot their own wounded." 

It's striking that a body of people who are supposed to be forgiving, sacrificing themselves for one another, defined by hope, faith, and love, can be so unforgiving, so hurting, so sinful.  Yet, it should not come to us as a surprise, as church is made up of people who are broken, sinful, and hurting themselves.  The sick are who Jesus calls to himself - so it is no surprise that the church is filled with those who are sick! 

The Mennonites have worked hard, and continue to work hard, to grow and define themselves in church by love.  I, and we, confess that we still "get it wrong."  But the first step is always to admit there is a problem (such as sin) and that we are continually haunted by it, though we are saved by Jesus.  Our eyes are on Jesus though, and we pursue and walk after him as one - a people witnessing to the saving grace of Jesus, not admitting perfection in ourselves; a family who loves one another, but also struggles as any family does; a people willing to forgive, who are also in need of forgiveness; a people loving and learning to love each and every day.  This is the church of Christ.

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 9 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-9/

Been hurt by a church? Come try us out - South Union Mennonite Church, 56 State Route 508, West Liberty, Ohio. Sunday School is at 9:30 a.m., Worship service at 10:30 a.m every Sunday. We don't promise perfection - we do promise to worship and follow Jesus.

Confession of Faith: Salvation

Mennonites believe through "the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God offers salvation from sin and a new way of life to all people."  When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord, Master, and Savior, and we repent of our sin, we are saved by grace through faith.  God worked with grace and mercy through redeeming Israel through wonders and signs, giving Jesus Christ for the healing and forgiveness of our sins, dying on a cross to pave the way for salvation, rising from the dead to conquer sin and death for us, living to show us the way, saving through grace.  The Holy Spirit works in us through this process, to move us to accept salvation, to partner with us in repentance, to share grace and forgiveness in the midst of our sin.

In today's culture, there tends to be some polarized tendencies regarding salvation.  We are either saved by the blood of the cross (no more need be done than say, "I believe and accept Jesus as my Lord and savior!") or that we are saved through being "good people" using Jesus as a moral template for life, but denying the power of the cross and resurrection.

We declare instead that Jesus is indeed savior and Lord through the cross and resurrection, completing the work of conquering sin and death.  However, Jesus also taught a specific way to live, one that requires us to repent (or turn away from) our sins and live instead for God (if we declare Jesus Lord then obedience is implied...we are no longer our own, but Jesus'.  We may have a history as U.S. Americans with the concept, but following Jesus is not a democracy, but a monarchy with Jesus as King and Lord).  When we fail we receive mercy and grace; yet we strive for living like God.  We are transformed by the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus through discipleship, a journey that is a process, not a moment; and so we rely on God's grace and forgiveness. 

It's the best sort of tension and paradox: salvation is being saved by grace through faith, and the fruits of salvation appear as we strive for the Kingdom of God and rely on Jesus' works forgiveness, mercy, and grace.   Salvation is the work of God, yet we work out our salvation with fear and trembling..."for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:12-13).

Want to learn more? Here is Article 8 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-8/

Confession of Faith: Sin

Mennonites believe that in the beginning sin, or the turning away from God with the purpose of us or idols becoming gods, entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve.  Sin involves our choice of doing unrighteousness and injustice, or by not doing good when we have the choice to.  "Through sin, the powers of domination, division, destruction, and death have been unleashed in humanity and in all of creation."  At the hands of sin, people groups, societies, and nations can be twisted in evil ways.

In today's world, we do not like to talk about sin because sin means that there is a moral code or law to follow, and we are very wary of authority, religion, and "absolutes" like laws.  We find in today's culture a sense that sin is simply a perspective, and changes from situation to situation even then. It does not help when certain groups declare "sin" with anger, hate, and even violent tendencies.  Perhaps this stems from the sin of pride, trying to prove that they who declare what is sinful are better than those in sin. It gets even messier when we start looking at social, cultural, and systematic sins that take place at large levels, almost at the level where we can't even see it.

Into this mixed up, confused situation, the Mennonites proclaim sin simply as turning away from God.  We proclaim hope in Jesus Christ, redeemer and savior of people from sin through the cross and resurrection.  And we teach Jesus model for healing sin - inviting people to meet and encounter Jesus Christ, with love and hope, carrying a cross instead of a protest sign. However, while we proclaim these things, Jesus is working among us still to help us to follow him ever better.

Want to learn more? Here is Article 7 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-7/

Confession of Faith: Creation and Calling of Human Beings

Mennonites believe that God created human beings in the divine image, given a special place among God's creation.  They were created good, for the purpose of stewardship, with the intent of living in loving relationships that are mutually helpful to each other (and equal).  God as made provision for the salvation of humanity and the redemption of creation, particularly through Jesus Christ, who is the fullness of God revealed and in whom we find true humanity.

It's interesting to find that today we have (in the USA) the most "liberated" humans.  We strive for equality between genders, struggle against racism, work against present day slavery (sex trade), and look out for human rights.  Yet, we are also aware of  the US and US businesses exploiting the rest of the world.  Instead of being people we are consumers, instead of children of God we are work-horses, instead of individuals we are another sale...and this is in the places of "privilege."   In other places in the world, humans become simply another person to abuse through sweatshops, simply another prostitute, simply another thing. 

The world does not consider humans very valuable, whatever human activists say.  Masses of people are meant to serve the desires of the select few; masses of people never have a face, only a soundless roar ; masses of people are never related to, only thought about in the abstract.

And the Mennonites say, "our identity as human beings rests in God made in the image of God, in whom we find our true humanity."  Humans have a purpose, a name, a story; humans in need are to be helped; those who have much are to share; those who have nothing are to receive; all are to be loved.  Created from dust and destined to be like God...this is the calling of human beings.

Want to learn more? Here is Article 6 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-6/

Reader's Review (in 500 Words or Less): Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw

In the midst of the Mennonite confession of faith, I thought it would be appropriate to review a book that is Anabaptist in theology and radical in practice. 

Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw in Jesus for President depict what it means to follow Jesus in a culture that blurs the line between church and state, "in god we trust" and Jesus, a church compromised and a church living out the Sermon on the Mount.  This book begins with the Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) and moves through the Bible and early church history to see where God is at work in the midst of Empire, how followers of Jesus become compromised, and what it looks like when we declare as Christians that we do not have divided loyalties: we are for Jesus and him crucified.

There are several things that really stood out to me as an Anabaptist.  First is the need to declare into a militaristic and consumerist society that there is a different path, a different way that can lived out right where we are through revolutionary practices...like making our own clothes, growing our own food and supporting local farmers, turning off the numbing TV set and instead talking to our neighbors, declining participation in the military to follow Jesus instead.  While sharing many real life stories of how to participate in the life of Christ in everyday life (which is awesome), it simply begged the question, "What does being Christ mean and look like in our small town in our church?"  Some suggestions from Jesus for President are challenging, but doable, while others seem to not fit the community.  So...what different things might we do to follow Jesus?

The second thing that stood out to me was the loving way in which we can talk about following Jesus as our first and only loyalty instead of U.S. American culture or the president.  As a Mennonite pastor, one of the most useful thoughts I found was how to discuss the military (and actually anyone who is exploring a career path) with someone who was interested in it: pray over the person that the fruits of the Spirit are being cultivated in them (p 273). Ultimately this sums up the point of the book - "Who are we becoming as Christians, thinking about all aspects of life, culture, and involvement thereof?  Are we becoming more like Jesus as presented in the gospels?"

One Line Summary: Buy this book, read it and wrestle with it, pass it on (I think that's what the authors would want!).  It offers many good insights that challenge the normal state of faith and practice in US America, and many suggestions and thoughts about what it means to follow Jesus, and him alone, in our society. 

Book Reviewed: Claiborne, Shane, and Haw, Chris. Jesus for President. USA: Simple Way, 2008.

Confession of Faith: Creation and Divine Providence

The Mennonites believe God created the heavens, the earth, and all that is in them through love and out of sovereign freedom .  God preserves and sustains what God has made, limiting the forces of sin and evil for the sake of the world, redeeming and saving humans and creation.  We are called to respect the "natural order of creation and to entrust ourselves to God's care and keeping, whether in adversity or plenty" (Confession of Faith).

In many ways we live in a world where nature is not readily taken care of.  Thinking about the reliance and abuse of limited fossil fuels, deforesting, over-hunting/fishing, and overeating of meat (which requires more resources to sustain because we have to feed the animals a lot of food to make food) brings to mind many areas of concern when it comes to taking care of the earth and sustainability. 

Even when it comes to our own bodies we are not very good stewards.  Many in the United States fall under the category of "obese or overweight."  According to the Food Research and Action Center, 68.8% of US adults are overweight or obese, with 35.7% being obese.  These things are linked: as we drive more we walk or bike less; overeating of fatty meats and the preservatives they hold means eating less vegetables and fruits which are healthier and more sustainable; eating too many fatty carbs (like donuts) and too much fast food (like McDonalds) are also culprits. 

Into this, Mennonites proclaim God created us and sustained us - therefore we look after the environment, trying to living sustainably and responsibly. We work with relief groups to try to end world hunger; we participate in food pantries and banks in order to help take care of the poor while stewarding our own goods.  On the individual level, perhaps we need to step up taking care of the environment in other ways as well...in what ways is God calling us to steward the environment and creation even better?  Leave a comment below!

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 5 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-5/

Obesity Stats (Food Research and Action Center):

http://frac.org/initiatives/hunger-and-obesity/obesity-in-the-us/

Confession of Faith: Scripture

The Mennonites believe Scripture.  We believe that Scripture, both the Hebrew (or Old) Testament and the New Testament, are inspired by the Holy Spirit for "instruction in salvation and training in righteousness" (Confession of Faith).  We believe that all the many very smart scholars, text critics, text copiers, and compilers were inspired by the Holy Spirit throughout the ages (basically the process by which Scripture is formed was inspired).  We acknowledge the Scripture as authoritative source and standard for faith and life and that all things need to be tested and corrected by the light of Scripture.

The Bible is the essential book of the church.  Some Christians believe that the Bible is inerrant, or completely without error, perfect, and as if God had spoken every word of the Bible to humans to write down.  We don't take it that far, for there is no need to.  When God spoke, he did so through a living word, named Jesus Christ (Jn 1).  Some Christians(?) believe the Bible is riddled with errors, nonsensical stories, and myths which make it useless.  Into this perspective we proclaim the Bible as authoritative truth through which God continues to speak. 

Into a world which finds all perspectives and views on truth equal, as if truth was a buffet restaurant from which we pick our favorite ones, the Mennonites proclaim Jesus: Jesus who is revealed in the Gospels, Jesus in the prophets, Jesus in the epistles, Jesus at creation.  Jesus is truth...and we can find Jesus revealed in the Bible.  Read it, eat it, sleep with it... Scripture is the book of the church.

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 4 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-4/

Confession of Faith: Holy Spirit

The Mennonites believe in the Holy Spirit, declaring with conviction the empowerment of Jesus and the church by the Holy Spirit.  We believe the Spirit of God participated in the creation of the world, inspired the prophets and those who wrote Scripture, ignited the disciples at Pentecost, and continues to ignite, call, and transform her church.

The role of the Holy Spirit tends to be an edgy one in most churches, and of course out-right denied in others.  Some churches seek, cater towards, and wish to somehow cultivate the power of the Holy Spirit in them, leading to outbreaks of tongues, miraculous healing, being slain in the spirit, in some places snake handling, and the odd outbreak of animal noises.  In other places, the Holy Spirit is almost completely ignored or denied, maybe because things get a little crazy when the Holy Spirit shows up.

Into this the Mennonites assert that the Holy Spirit is an important part of the Trinity, making space for the Holy Spirit to work in power by proclaiming what the Holy Spirit has already done and continues to do.  We find the Holy Spirit to be empowering of people with love, reconciliation, hope, and healing.  In a culture where spirits and new age religion is finding a hold, we continue to proclaim and look for the power of the Holy Spirit to embolden us to pick up the cross each and every day to follow after Jesus. 

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 3 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-3/

Confession of Faith: Jesus Christ (The Trailblazing Savior)

Jesus is the Word of God made flesh, "who delivered us from the dominion of sin and reconciled us to God by humbling himself and becoming obedient unto death on a cross."  He is resurrected, the exalted slaughtered Lamb, ascended and reigning with God in glory, the Messiah, Savior of the world, head of the church, Lord of all.

The Mennonites value Jesus above everything else in Scripture, including his life, teachings, death, resurrection, ascension, and present ruling of his church.  Today, we in the US tend to strip Jesus of his power.  We sing "washed in the blood of the Lamb" and imagine this to be like a holy shower by which we become clean, are able to go sin as much as we want, then come back and wash off again.  We think that Jesus does not call out our deepest fears and ask us to follow him through and beyond those fears -fears such as being secure and safe, staying alive, and remaining in material satisfaction.

Yet, that is just what Jesus does all through the gospels.  He says, "Pick up your cross and follow me" and "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Mt 5:44; Mt 16:24-28).  Unfortunately, we tend to think since Jesus lived back in the day he wasn't very smart and didn't realize just how hard these things would be - so we trivialize their power by suggesting Jesus really didn't mean them.  Into this culture, the Mennonites follow Jesus, backs bowed with the cross, loving friends and enemies, offering peace, reconciliation, and love, even if it means their deaths.  Why?  It's exactly what Jesus did to reconcile us to himself, and by following Jesus we enact the living hope for God's new world.

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 2 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-%E2%80%94-article-2/

Confession of Faith: God

In the Mennonite confession of faith, there is no discussion about classical philosophy (you won't find words like "immutable or omni-[insert characteristic here]" in the confession of faith), but about a person.  We believe that God is Holy Trinity: Parent, Son and Holy Spirit, creator of all things, caller of human beings, offering redemption to all of humanity through Jesus Christ, Son of God/Man, sustainer of the church.  We believe God surpasses all human understanding, but has revealed God's self to us.  God is love; in awesome glory, in enduring compassion, sovereign power, unending mercy, abounding grace, wrath against sin, God is love.

The way we view God matters for today - as A.W. Tozer writes in Knowledge of the Holy, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us" (pp 1). In many ways, we model our actions after who we think God is.  If we think, "God bless America," then we support the USA in whatever wars it undertakes in order for her to maintain her power.  When we see "In God we trust" on the back of US money, we may think that since we trust in "God" that God supports America in all her endeavors. 

Into this mindset, we see the Mennonites proclaiming "God is love and shows it perfectly in all characteristics."  I wonder...what if the first thing we thought of when we thought of God was perfect love?  What would we look like if we modeled ourselves after this love?

Next: Article 2 - Jesus Christ

Want to learn more?  Here is Article 1 of the Mennonite Confession of faith:   http://www.mennoniteusa.org/about/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-1995/confession-of-faith-in-a-mennonite-perspective-%E2%80%94-article-1-god/

Mennonites: Radical Religious Revolutionaries (in a Nutshell)

Mennonites are people who trace themselves back to a Catholic priest named Menno Simmons in Holland during the time of the reformation.  Menno heard of the "Anabaptists," or radical reformers during the period of Luther's reformation who believed that people could not be born into the Christian Kingdom but instead must make an adult choice for themselves about whether or not they believed in Christ and were to be baptized.  Menno was asked to be the leader of the Anabaptists.

While requiring adult baptism, the founding Anabaptists were highly educated individuals who were radical in the way they perceived the world.  They believed that Jesus was the most important part of the Bible and that he actually meant what he said in the gospels, especially the Sermon on the Mount.  They grabbed hold of Jesus as the center of their religion, becoming simple, loving, reconciling, and peaceful people for Christ.

And, much like the early church pre-Constantine, they fought a revolution - not with weapons but with their blood, not with anger but with love, not with hate but with hope.  Anabaptists were pacifists...and both Catholics and Lutherans slaughtered them as heretics because of their belief in adult baptism.  Yet, the Anabaptists continued, radical religious revolutionaries.

Fast forward 500ish years and the Mennonites are still around today, pursuing healing and hope, reconciliation and love.  We stand in a position of speaking into the world in ways the world doesn't want to hear - the way Jesus does.  We'll continue this series with their first confession of faith: God.

Want to know more?  Head over to http://www.mennoniteusa.org/ and click on "about us" on the left hand side.

Resurrection (of a blog)

The last post made on this blog was on December 9, 2011.  For the last several years, it has been dead.  The beautiful thing about being dead is it provides time for a resurrection, as the biblical narrative shows us time and time again.  My long absence is due to the life journey I have been on since 2011.  I became a Trainer (teacher/supervisor) at my job a week after my last posting, experienced the joy and hardship of middle management, and learned a lot of new insights.  I was interim pastor (bio-vocationally) for several months during this time. A month ago I was hired as the sole pastor of South Union Mennonite Church.  This church has a beautiful congregation which I am loved by, love, and serve as a pastor.  Lots of change has happened...and as  life has the habit of doing, I am a different person than the one that wrote two years ago.

That being said, I am going to continue blogging about the ordinary journey of daily life, which is actually quite extraordinary.  I will be beginning with a series reflecting on who the Mennonites are, why they matter, and what draws me to them as a pastor a congregation in their midst.  We will continue to wrestle with difficult texts, ordinary insights, and books reviews along the way. 

I also want to invite you to dialogue with me through the comments below.  Share your stories, reflect on your experiences with me, for no journey is meant to be traveled alone.