Good Friday--The "Dialogue of the Deaf?"

Have you ever been in a room that was so filled with sound that you couldn’t even talk to the person standing right next to you?  These are some of my favorite places…where it is SO difficult to have a conversation that you just use simple gestures…these types of conversations are called for at some sporting events…but especially auto racing…with the cars roaring around the track with no mufflers you barely can hear yourself think much less talk.  The gun range when the “light is green” and 4-5 people are shooting at once…it takes all the concentration you can muster just to keep your own head in the game, much less to make sense of what everyone else is doing.  Concerts…especially right in front of that massive wall of speakers and amplifiers, where every kick drum and bass note jolts your heart back into rhythm within your chest, and those screaming guitar notes seem to make your eyes, ears, and nose bleed for no apparent reason.  Yep…those are EXCELLENT times.

And then there are those times when you find yourself closed into a room with a few people and an argument breaks out…not of your making or choosing but you find yourself, for better or worse, right in the middle of it.  It escalates, now they are yelling while you are attempting to hear what both sides are arguing about.  And then it happens…there suddenly is SO much noise, and it is so loud and intense that no one can possibly hear what the other is saying because everyone is talking at the same time, and now it is not a single argument but a multifaceted, multi-layered, cacophony of intense sound.  One author called these moments the “dialogue of the deaf.”

Everyone is talking but no one is listening.  There is much going on that needs attention but chaos is ruling.  There are important points to be made but they are lost in the fuel to suddenly be the victor.  It is not just a war of words…more is at stake…there is so much dialogue…but everyone is deaf to everything but their own voice, their own desire, their own point, their own will.

As I have prayed, read, watched, and thought about something that I might add to the already tumultuous flow of information that has been put out there about “Good Friday”…I wondered…is everyone SO busy talking that no one is looking and listening?

"The View from the Cross" by James Tissot (circa 1895)

The silence must have been deafening, the Middle Eastern sun shone bright through the day but darkness seemed to loom on the horizon and it was MUCH too early for it be night coming on.  At the foot of the cross soldiers passed the time by gambling…just wishing that they had not been attached to the unit that was at Calvary that day (it would have been nice to be home early for the weekend!).  Others stood, watched, jeered, scolded, lashed out, gave up and went home when nothing of significance seemed to happen.  Those who loved him stood in horrified silence unable to take in the scene, and finding it hard to breathe as they held back the tears that so easily flowed from their now swollen eyes.  The members of the Sanhedrin stood firm, like solemn statues, silently glad that this had come to an end, the anger burned into their faces like hardened cement, chiseled there for everyone to see.  Elsewhere in the city, the background noises told everyone that life was going on, just like every other Friday.

The men dying beside him spoke. One heartless and with hatred chastised him, the other speaking to both of the men in process of dying beside him somehow got past himself to see the consequences of the story that he had become a part of…he knew his punishment was just, but he longed for another way.

As far as we know Jesus only uttered 7 sayings from the cross that day.  By most reckoning he was on the cross at least 6 hours.  That is about one brief phrase every hour or so.  When he did speak…he spoke volumes (not literally…but what he said was important…not to him as much as to us).

He tried to tell them, to show them, they were so busy talking it became the dialogue of the deaf…because they refused to listen.  Even on the cross their hardened hearts cause his words to fall on deaf ears.

I wonder.  In hindsight, there are theological things at play that made that a “good” Friday, but I wonder if today, we would pause to look at the cross, would we be so busy with US that we forget about him? After all these years is the dialogue still lost on those who have closed their auditory sensation for something more sensational?  The Easter event is more than a “happy ending” to a bad weekend (it has to be or God failed!). But on THIS Good Friday can we hear the voice from the cross or are we too busy with the dialogue of the deaf?

I believe, help me with my unbelief.

Reflection for "Maundy Thursday"

Today is usually called "Maundy Thursday" (or Holy Thursday) it is not a "celebration" that is typically noticed by the Protestant world. The term "Maundy" is from the Latin "Mandatum" which has to do with "washing the feet" (based on the Latin version of John 13:34). No one seems to know exactly when "Maundy Thursday" celebrations began in the context of Church history.

It is clear, that this "celebration" has something to do with what is usually called "The Last Supper" or "The Lord's Supper."  Though these terms are not synonymous nor interchangeable they share a common origin.

When Jesus was preparing to share the last Passover feast with his disciples, arrangements were made to share the celebration in a large upper room in Jerusalem. All of the gospels give us some details of the event, but John includes an incident where Jesus takes off his outer garment, dons the servant's towel and washes the feet of his disciples...a chore usually left to the hired help..the servant.  In so doing Jesus is fulfilling his own statement in Mark 10:45 that, "the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Jesus concludes washing the disciples' feet with a "teachable" moment, by telling them:

[12] When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. [13] "You call me `Teacher' and `Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. [14] Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. [15] I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. [16] I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. [17] Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:12-17)

Immediately following this Judas is recognized as the betrayer. After Judas leaves, Jesus institutes what is commonly called "the Lord's Supper" (also referred to as: Eucharist, Communion, etc...).

Though some continue to practice foot-washing (I have done this practice on a few occasions and found it to be a deeply humbling and spiritual exercise though I don't believe that it is necessary for followers of Jesus today), nearly ALL Christians continue to observe the sacrament of Holy Communion (though practices and modes vary).  Though Jesus knew (his disciples did not...even though he tried to tell them) this was the last time that they would all be together until after the resurrection.

I could say that these powerful moments should affect our approach to Communion when we partake...but that seems oversimplified.  I might ask if this changes our perspective on the frailty of human life and the time we share together...though I don't think that is the point of these events (though I MUST confess I get an image of Forrest Gump and Bubba on the beach...Bubba's been mortally wounded, they exchange "heys" and Forrest narrates..."if I would know that was the last thing we would ever say to each other I would have though up something better to say.")

Instead I want to ask a question on the day we remember what Jesus did for us.  What do your actions say about you?  There was a LOT of action in the life of Jesus and his disciples that night!! I have a hard time taking it all in just reading the accounts, I cannot fathom being there.  It must have all seemed like a blur...the Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, the Passover, the near constant teaching of Jesus, the foot washing, the betrayer, the talk of the new covenant, the breaking of bread at the table and the institution of the remembrance of Jesus in the Lord's Supper, leaving to go worship and pray, the soldiers, the arrest, the trial, the cross...and then it was over...the silence was deafening.

What do your actions say about you?  You don't think that people notice the little things but they do.  John captures this in his "preface" to all these events when Jesus says, "Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love" (John 13:1b).

John says, before ANY of this happened two significant factors were already assumed: Jesus loved his disciples, and he was about to show them the "FULL EXTENT OF HIS LOVE." It is one thing to say that you love God.  But too often we are hypocritical in our speech when our actions reveal the opposite. Are people witnessing you loving God by serving Him and serving others?  The phrase "the full extent" is not contained within the drama of the Last Supper but extends to the cross itself, or as Paul puts it in Romans 5:8, "God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

As we reflect on "Maundy Thursday" and the importance of gathering for Communion to celebrate what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do through the presence of Christ...we OUGHT to be reminded that actions speak louder than words...STOP GOING TO CHURCH...START BEING THE CHURCH so that others might, "see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."  People will fail each other every time (at some time)...but God has demonstrated that he is BIGGER than the sum of His parts (the body of Christ). Isn't it time we let others see :the full extent of God's love through us?

I believe...help my unbelief

"Chasing After Wind?"

I recently listened to a radio interview moderated by Mark Goodman[1], with Pat Benatar, and her husband, co-writer, and band guitarist Neil “Spyder” Geraldo[2]. In the midst of the interview Mark asked them about being “iconic” in the 80’s, and how they felt about their music lasting now that “everything is forever” (thanks to the internet and YouTube)—in Mark’s words, “nothing will ever go away again, it will always be out there.”

This thought spawned a lengthy conversation in the interview process that caught my attention.  Both Pat and “Spyder” argued that Mark’s comment was incorrect.  The gist of their argument was this, moments are ephemeral.  The instant that moment is gone it is gone forever—even if it is captured on film, or tape, or digitally these can only ever be mere reproductions of that first moment “live” (they argued that is why they love to play live—to live in THAT moment)—there can NEVER BE THAT moment again.  I actually searched for a rebroadcast of the interview so that I could hear this particular part of it again.

Philosophically, it is all very Platonic.  Everything we experience is but a mere reproduction of the original is not new—it is Plato’s “forms” or “ideals” all over again.  Plato would suggest that what we experience are but mere “universals” (representations) of things that perfectly (and particularly) exist (the forms and ideals) on another plane of being.  So we think we know what a square is but we have only ever come into contact with the universal representation of a square—in reality “squareness” exists perfectly, and particularly on another plane.  There is MUCH more to Plato’s arguments but they are not my point, so let us not digress!

I began to think about these things in terms of my own life.  Every Sunday I do the only two things that people will actually pay me to do and tolerate my “work”:  I lead worship, and I preach and teach.  Both of these things have caused me great joy and great consternation over my years of ministry, both have changed radically since I began doing them some 25 years ago, and both are continuing to undergo transformation as we delve deeper into the postmodern world and what comes after it.

WORSHIP

In the area of worship we have moved from someone standing behind the pulpit holding a hymnbook in one hand and waving his arms to the beat with the other hand, to teams working hard to provide a “complete worship experience” (replete with audio, video, word, deed, lighting, effects, etc..).  I was never much into “hymnody” (though I LOVE a LOT of the hymns and feel like they have better theology than most of the newer worship stuff), and I dislike organ music (though I appreciate those who can REALLY pull it off), and I detest choral arrangements and choirs ( I can appreciate their talent—but even good choirs have the same effect on me that rap music, and “southern gospel” does—a switch in my brain clicks to “off” the second it begins and I am somewhere else).  My point is simply this, regardless of preferences, we may be on to something much deeper and spiritual than most of us realize…but I digress again, for the moment (hold on…I promise to come back to it).

PREACHING

In the area of preaching we have moved from 3 points that alliterate, toss in a poem and a couple of illustrations, then at the end you restate what you said, then tell them again for emphasis, and then in your closing prayer mention the 3 points that were an alliteration just in case they missed the first three times, to a completely different notion of what good preaching is, how long it last, and what should happen when it occurs.  The narrative style of preaching, which dominates homiletics today, has tended to lend itself to “right brained” listeners who, psychologist say, are less about logic, rationale, and alliterations, and more about emotion, wholeness, and imagination—hence the need for visual stimuli to accompany the story that you are telling (and it probably wouldn’t hurt to have the right lighting, and at times, the right music softly accompanying you in the background).  Len Sweet once called this type of learning “edutainment” because it educates and entertains at the same time.  Good preachers these days seem to say less, but what they DO say…they say it better (that is  a part of their popularity—they are brief, to the point, but they do it so well and without wasting precious time—none of which I tend to excel at—at this point in my “career” I’m an old dog and while I can learn new tricks…I am pretty much set in my “style” of preaching…and I tend to be somewhere in the middle of the old and the new).  Again, I say, that regardless of preference, we may be on to something.

You may be saying to yourself, “this seems a LONG way away from Pat Benatar and ‘capturing the moment’” (it’s okay…people who regularly hear me preach and teach think the same thing!). But, that is the point, we are not removed at all…much less are we far away...

 Swiss theologian Karl Barth once used a German term, taught to me by very first theology professor MANY years ago, “anknopfungspunkt.”  Barth used this lengthy theological term to mean “the point of contact” between God and humanity.  If we put all these puzzle pieces together here is my point: as humans we desire the “anknopfungspunkt” (like an addict craves their addiction) it is that ephemeral moment that cannot be replicated, duplicated, nor captured.  We, every Sunday, want that one experience of the Holy Spirit that is timeless…that we come near to God in song and word, where His word actually is “living and active”—we want to experience God…not vicariously…like watching a video or looking at a picture that causes us to fondly recall a past experience…we want a NEW experience EVERY TIME!!  As Neil Young proposed, “it keeps me searching for a heart of gold.”  This desire spurs on our weekly, daily, search for this connection…unfortunately (I think) we, like addicts, have become more obsessed with the search, and the moment itself, than the object of that experience.  So when we don’t get that “anknopfungspunkt” we quickly move on to the next place that offers it, because clearly, God is not at work HERE!

Oddly enough, worship leaders and preachers are not immune to this issue.  We tend to be bi-polar, either wanting to do everything “just right” to enable God to work and give that experience (to the point that we practice, rehearse, and study until there is no room left for spontaneity in our “performance”), and then, when it is over, we feel like we have failed when it appears that God has not moved in the way we expected. OR we pray a lot and try to let everything happen in and for the ephemeral moment knowing that it will never be duplicated…it will never be the “PERFECT” moment again…but only mere reproductions.  And then, when finished, we are disappointed that we didn’t create another perfect moment…but rather relived old, used, and clichéd moments.

STOP CHASING THE MOMENTS AND LIVE IN CONSTANT EXPECTATION OF WHAT GOD COULD DO IF WE SPENT OUR TIME AND ENERGY ON HIM, DOING WHAT HE ASKS, INSTEAD OF GRASPING FOR SOMETHING THAT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN EVERY SUNDAY.  Author, speaker, and preacher Eugene Peterson calls it, “a long obedience in the same direction.”  In sharing with Nicodemus about being “born again” Jesus says this, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit” (John 3:8).  You can chase the Spirit who gives you those moments…but you cannot catch him…we must wait, and yield to that Spirit knowing God is supplying what we need, not what we want.

I believe…help me in my unbelief.

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[1] For those who may be too young or too old—Mark Goodman was, I believe, the FIRST “VJ” (video jockey”) who appeared on MTV’s early broadcasts.

[2] Pat Benatar (and Spyder) had the second video that ever aired on MTV.  Together, they had multiple platinum albums, Grammy Awards, People’s Choice Awards, sold out thousands of concerts, and were considered “trend setters” in the 80’s music, fashion, and video scene. Today they are 80’s “icons.”

Encouraging YOUR Minister

I hope that in the over 20 years that I have been in the ministry the services that I rendered were considered valuable in each situation at some point.  In each situation I have been compensated for services rendered per an agreement made before I was hired.

I always knew that ministry was NEVER about the money…to that end, I frequently have “signed on” for salary that was less than average for someone with my experience and education.  In some cases I received exactly what I signed up for.  In other cases I received the salary that was contractually agreed upon plus MUCH, MUCH more in what I might call “perks” that I or my family received to show that we were valued by those we were serving.

In my experience I can unequivocally state, some congregations know how to love their ministers (and show their appreciation) and some don’t. It is as simple as that. I don’t know anyone in any position that does not like to know that their contribution is valued.  A “well done” or “I appreciate you” is always welcome but often it is not enough for some people to overcome the struggles that accompany ministry.

It would be too easy to say more money means satisfaction.  It is not that easy.  Especially in this difficult economic time money can speak volumes but in MOST congregations that have been adversely affected by the financial downturn money is not going to be the solution.

Allow me to offer ways that you can encourage you minister that are low cost or err on the side of financial responsibility (in no specific order):

R.A.K.—random acts of kindness on your minister and their family will speak volumes.  I see these as small tokens of appreciation.  If congregants are unhappy or have issues they are quick to communicate it with EVERYONE!!  If you appreciate your minister be just as quick to tell them, and others, verbally, in writing (send a card), etc…the point is that you are making the effort to communicate with them your appreciation.

Hobbies--Often people in the congregation have hobbies that result in products to share: gardening (all ministers LOVE food—especially fresh and homemade), woodworking (handmade items show you care), one of our ladies knew my daughter was wanting something to keep her ears warm during cold spring track practice so she knitted her some “ear muffs” in my daughter’s school colors!! This option offers nearly endless varieties to show how much you care and chances are it is something that you are already doing in your spare time.  Don’t assume your minister wouldn’t be interested…by definition they are interested in what interests you!

Take them along—getting out of the office is always a welcome diversion.  Where ever you are going and whatever you are doing for your day trip…invite the minister or their family to tag along. Going fishing at your favorite spot?  Share it with your minister.  Going hiking on your favorite trail? Ask their family to join you. Taking a shopping day at your favorite antique or flea market?  You might be surprised to find out that they were looking for an opportunity to look for a specific item. It need not cost much money, nor should it be seen as a long term commitment (you don’t have to invite them EVERY time)—but again—they are looking for opportunities to share what you like and vise-a-versa.

Work days/projects—I believe that most people don’t consider this options because they don’t want to add to what they perceive as their minister’s already busy schedule.  But these times offer options—maybe you can do something for someone else together—thereby sharing time (where you can express your appreciation), and helping someone else in the process.  Maybe there is a project that needs to be done at THEIR home or at your home—this may be an opportunity to teach someone a new skill while you are expressing your appreciation in verbal and tangible ways.

Give Up—I know this sounds radical…but this is a way to make something BIG happen for your minister that they may not be able to do for themselves.  Many folks today have time shares, cabins, frequent flyer miles, etc… ALL things that could be used by your minister as well as yourself.  Why not invest in your minister and family by giving up your week at the beach to them?  Imagine their face when you offer them the keys to your cabin for a week of their choosing.  The reality is that it is not costing you anything more than you already spend—BUT you are sacrificing your time for them. Isn’t that what you expect of them when a loved one is hospitalized, there is an unexpected tragedy, a death in the family, in fact, are they not “on call” ALL the time for you?

The list could be endless. Here are some things to remember. Yes...you help to pay your minister’s salary by putting money in the offering each week.  NO…that does not make them your employee—they do what they do because they love the people they serve and they serve the people they love.  The Psalmist says that “the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.”  Therefore, whatever we “possess” we have received from the hand of God. Would we not be poor stewards (or at least selfish) if we didn’t share what God has allowed us to manage?

Little things matter. From a minister’s perspective…you have NO idea how difficult it can be.  Conversely, you have no idea how much difference little things done to encourage can make.

I am thankful for those people who have, and do, continue to encourage and share in my ministry—I could not have done, or be doing it without them.  Others have tested my faith, and caused me to doubt my calling…but I am thankful for them too because I have learned from them (even if it was the hard lessons, the hard way).

I believe…help my unbelief.

Of Lions and Lambs

Today is March 1st.  As I sit and look out my office window at the wet snow wafting from the heavens I am reminded of the March weather wives tale, "in like a lion...out like a lamb."  Needless to say, I am expecting BIG weather changes in the next thirty days that comprise the month of March.

Almost simultaneously other pictures entered into my thought process...lions and lambs. I'll begin with the streaming thoughts of lions.  I rarely even hear the word lion without three mental ques going off in my head--one tangible, one visual, and one auditory. When I was very young I had a small stuffed lion.  It's name, according to the tag, was either "Rory" or "Dandy" (I know right...but I was a kid I thought either was cute.)  To tell the truth I don't remember how I came to possess this pint sized king of the jungle...but he must have meant something to me because I kept him through my college years, and passed him along to my kids when they were old enough to enjoy stuffed toys (another cue just flashed into my head as I typed this--Burt Lahr--the cowardly lion singing "If I Were King of the Forrrrrest!!"). The second connection is Aslan, C.S. Lewis' powerful Christ figure in the Chronicles of Narnia. Though there are MANY favorite quotes by and about Aslan throughout the seven books, my favorite is from "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" where Mr & Mrs Beaver are telling the Pevensie children about Aslan and Susan states that she would be scared to meet a Lion, to which the Beavers respond, "he is NOT a tame lion!" (my second favorite is where Aslan tells Jill that he eats... "girls, boys, and has consumed entire kingdoms!"). The third thing that takes place in my head when I hear the word lion is Daniel Bashta's song (and I might add that Crowder does the ONLY worthwhile version) that states, "my Gods not dead He is surely alive...he is living on the inside roaring like a lion!" So each time the word lion is mentioned I get this weird music video thing going off in my brain replete with flashing images of stuffed, pint-sized lions, computer generated lions (who sounds like Liam Neason) saying my favorite quotes from the books, and David Crowder (beard and all) singing "roaring like a lion." WOW...just think if I actually took mind altering drugs what my world might be like!!

Then there are the "lamb" signals that rush to my brain...the innocence of seeing newborn lambs in the spring, frolicking in the newly green grass, the joy that I felt as they drank milk from the bottle in my hand. The immense emotion of Jodie Foster describing to Hannibal Lecture why the movie is called "The Silence of the Lambs", and the old Ray Boltz song..."Watch the Lamb."

It may not be coincidental that all of these sounds, and images fire in the chemical make up of my brain on a day like this.  It should not seem odd that the thoughts of lions and lambs (when speaking of spring weather) should conjure such occurrences...especially since Good Friday and Easter find their celebrations in the month of March this year.

Call it a...vocational hazard...but when Spring rolls around my thoughts turn to Easter.  Easter can scarcely be contained into a single day or encapsulated into a single thought.  Most theologians call it the Easter "event."  I guess that is what it was...perhaps the greatest event in the history of humanity...for what good is the cross of Good Friday without the resurrection on Sunday--or visa-versa.  One brings grace, mercy, and forgiveness to humanity which would be quite useless if we were forced to live THIS life without hope of something else...which is what the power of the resurrection brings to us.

Hundreds of years before Jesus walked the earth the prophet said, "...He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth...."  Who did this?  Jesus, "the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world," the "Lion of the tribe of Judah."

And so as the month of March begins (at least today it seemed to "come in like a lion" therefore I assume it will "go out like a lamb"), and the weather causes us to pause and consider lions, and lambs...don't think it mere coincidence that celebrating Easter is JUST around the corner.

I believe...("my Gods not dead he is surely alive, he's living on the inside roaring like a lion"), help me in my unbelief.