The best of Conferences, the worst of Conferences

I just got back from National Conference a few days ago. Ok, one day ago. Yesterday.

Anyway, it was amazing. On a couple of nights, the call to worship was done by a didjeridoo by the recently started ministry to Indigenous People (Aborigines), called Baparrdu (I may have completely butchered the spelling on that...). I cannot tell you how joyful it makes me when I see God worshipped in ways of different cultures. The gospel of grace through Christ is taken and made culturally relevant in ways that speak to the people of that culture...and when I see that, I am humbled and in awe of the majesty and glory of God.

It deeply saddens me when missionaries (past and present) take the gospel the way it is meaningful to them, and try and shove that down the throats of various indigenous people. God has been there long before then, why not look to see His footprints and follow them to find out where He's working? (Not my metaphor, but I stole it because it was Glen O'Brien is a genius for using it).

That kind of culturally arrogant attitude led to genocide and the reason people bristle at the term missionary. How did we stray so horrifically from the cool drink to a parched soul that is the gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ?

But, I saw the gospel shown in beautiful ways at Conference. The didjeridoo. The service led by our Christian brothers and sisters in the Solomon Islands. All the myriad Islander cultures seen and heard. Beautiful. Almost to the point of tears, which for me, is saying a lot.

And, then there were the white guys. Once again, a splendid lesson in missing the point.

The debate was over education. Do we streamline the requirements for ordination, in order to bring in more ministers? The correct answer, of course, being no...but, oddly enough, the correct answer wasn't seen as correct by everyone.

Now, I realize that I'm biased in that I'm an academic person, and so having study requirements does not adversely affect me. But, I still don't see why we're cutting those out. Just because I'm not good at something does not mean it should be omitted from the requirements. I'm not good at patience, but I would in no way advocate cutting that out of the requirements of a minister (as outlined by St. Paul, in Galatians 5:22).

What we are ultimately saying is that if you don't like education, that's ok...we'll make it all easier for you. We as a denomination are saying that if things are difficult, then they should change. Not that you need to learn to do things that are difficult, because heaven forbid we learn endurance and steadfastness, learn the ability to push through difficulties that we don't particularly enjoy to reach the shores of the place that we don't particularly deserve.

It scares me that the denomination is so quick to get people into the pulpits. Yes, we need pastors...but, we need Godly men and women in the pulpits, not just some random people that like attention so feel "the call" into ministry. Yeah, hang up...the call isn't for you.

But, the Kingdom is like that. We must wrestle with this fundamental and important questions, even when we don't all agree. It would be a lot easier, though, if everybody realize that I'm always right and just installed me as Dictator-for-Life of The Church. Like the Pope, but better.

And, in other news, I have internets at my house now. This is good.

The Friendship of Loneliness

Where to start, where to start...

In many ways, I have often felt lonely (you just have to look back at previous posts to see what I'm referring to). I rarely "fit in", and on the odd chance that I do, my weird personality forces me to find ways to make it so I don't. So, loneliness is a feeling I am used to. Its my one constant companion, you could say.

However, life is different now.

Now, I am alone. Not in the sense of me having not as many friends I can hang out with, but more that I have no friends I can hang out with. My closest friends are 2 hours away (assuming there's no traffic). Yes, there are people at the church I like, and most of them I enjoy talking to...but, they will always be members of my congregation. I will always be The Pastor. That will not change.

I am discovering the difficulty of truly being on your own.

When I lived at home, and had a bad day, I found a friend and talked. I ministered to them, and was ministered to in return. Here, when I have a bad day, I am on my own. I am stuck "in my head" so to speak, and worries start spawning like there's no tomorrow.

It is a matter of having to always be "at the top of the my game". There is no room for error. This is a result of being in ministry, I think, and being alone. I must make sure that I exercise, have my quiet time, as well as a bit of creative time every day, or else I quickly spiral out of control. Like, in the matter of two or three days, I quickly become almost too stressed to operate.

I have found my limitations. This is difficult, because I not only have to admit that I have them, but also admit that they are much closer than I had hoped. Irritating, to say the least.

Anyway, I will probably keep going forever unless I cut myself off, so that is what I will do now. I covet your prayers, and any and all visitors are more than welcome.

Word.

PS- I think I also covet Reese's Pieces. Not the cups, mind you, but the pieces. So, pray for me, and send me candy.