Outside the Script

I have been thinking about scripting lately. Lots of opportunity these days to think about that. In this last Sunday’s worship at our church we had some sharing time in preparation for congregational prayer. A young woman took opportunity to share in an animated, quite convincing manner what might be characterized as a ‘three-minute sermon’.  Also noteworthy to me was her folksy presentation and what I perceived as the congregation response perhaps best described as reserved. Why? I’m not quite sure, but my guess is that the illustrations and the animation was coming from slightly beyond the comfort zone – perhaps a hint of downtown speakeasies or maybe just hoping the service not go overtime too much.

Very similarly, just the day before, I had spent some time reading our denominational periodical, kind of yearning for some adventurous text, something more than routine business as usual. Lo and behold, there it was – kind of anyway!  The editorial, still on pandemic theme and well written, set a wise tone. “Moving toward normal,” was the title, and included this sentence, “In the future normal, whenever that might come, we must avoid the temptation to settle back into old routines without evaluating whether they will serve us well” (Canadian Mennonite, Aug 16, p.2). Point also made that this will need to include more than what happens in the one hour of worship on Sunday mornings. And then the publication ‘is what it is,’ seems like old hat for this reader. The usual: a nice article on spiritual direction; a perspective from the executive minister of our denomination, “Why don’t we talk about evangelism?” making plans for a nationwide gathering next summer; some good thoughts and information pieces on fundraisers; possibility of online church for good?  It’s informational and it’s wholesome for those of us who don’t mind reading and espousing ‘things of our church’ (also included is listing of 3 births, 3 weddings, and 26 deaths. No baptisms).

This is ‘news’ within the community which will probably be around for the remainder of my days on this earth. I cannot but wonder, where is a hint of recent discovery? Any tie-in with what’s happening among our U.S. neighbors, or other parts of the world? Any kairos moments that might go off-script just a bit? I noted a few samples kind of in that direction. One of the columnists, looking at himself in the mirror, got disgusted with his slouchy physique brought on by corona non-exercise and proceeded to dance it out (“It’s about getting weird”, p.12), offering a smile for us cerebral Mennonites. One of the correspondents writes a piece about several young people seeking to address a challenge, weak wifi signal in tenement housing, faced by immigrant kids doing online schoolwork during the pandemic. And then the interesting section, "Readers Write." A big farmer writes in somewhat indignantly to C.M.'s senior writer re a previous article about small scale farming, obviously not quite in tune with agro-business. Then another farmer letter grabs my 'even fuller' attention. This one from my long ago home stomping grounds near Osler, SK on another topic! It's a critique of our trademark Mennonite pacifism alongside our modern lifestyle convenience practices. To him the contradiction of belief and practice proves it doesn’t work! Written in a somewhat crotchety or contrarian style, I disagree with his conclusion, but note the evidence of spiritual depth here – reminds me of Psalm 42:7, Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls.  Here is challenge to the inner spirit of each one of us. Although he hopes for “more balanced, honest, and realistic conversations” I see here an invitation for him and every one of us - even to the big farmer above - to experience (yes experience) the peace that passes understanding. Indeed, pacifism as a lifestyle in our modern society fails the test if there be not an initial spiritual commitment (Luke 9:23). Much reflection needed on this latter prophetic word. 

So, overall, my faith community is ‘working at it.’ Working at it diligently and perhaps even discovering a new script? 😏 I remember once upon a long time ago when I was a young pastor, attending a Triennial Conference of our whole North American General Conference Mennonite Church, at none other than the scenic Estes Park, just north and up the mountain from Denver, CO.  It was a good time and place to be with several thousands of others. On one of those evenings the crowd was in a particularly celebrative mood. I don’t remember the theme anymore, but I remember that evening.  Our keynote speaker, Dr. Tony Campolo, was just getting started, “Your enthusiasm, your singing, and your goodwill is everywhere here tonight. What a commendable genuine hard-working people,” he gets into stride, “but you are so ---- German!” He said it as only this Italian evangelical social-activist sociologist could. We roared with laughter at his joke so tritely placed in this excellent speech, and I still smile at this smart-ass speaking to us like that. I’m 100% sure that wasn’t in his notes, but he spoke it, and it’s a poignant memory still!

The need for diligence and order and even control (pacifist of course) is why we have always had carefully built barns and nicely cultivated fields and good sausage - and four-part harmony singing in church. As Dr. Campolo and many others know, these are commendable traits, but not necessarily the full requirements of Christian faith.  In fact at present time the largest percentage of Mennonites are non-white and living in the southern hemisphere.  And they are likely not Mennonites because of our Dutch-German origin and orderly worship services. They sing and dance and clap and admonish each other in full-on community of believers! They are Mennonite because, tired of warfare in their countries, have discovered us brothers and sisters with a peace theology that is a natural follow-up to new life in Jesus Christ.  

With this latter awareness I hope that some healthy emotion may yet find a way even into our North American Mennonite churches. To me it’s a no-brainer. We’ve got to loosen up. Emotion is part and parcel of appearing before God who knows everything about us anyway. What’s to lose? Our ordered life style may be appropriate for those of the Germanic DNA but absolutely non-essential for entry into the Kingdom of God. Personally I care not about Mennonite living, but much enjoy Anabaptist Christian living, laced with hospitality and openness to learn from all peoples, so very important in today’s repopulating world.

As suggested in the above-named editorial our significant events may be happening other than Sunday mornings. I only hope and pray that if they want to happen on Sunday morning we won’t turn a blind eye because they may be off script a bit.

For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34).

The Word from a Geek

Yesterday I did a first. I utilized services of The Geek Squad, an electronics troubleshooting service provided by one of our big super centers.  “I need you to perform a five-minute miracle on my laptop.” So I greeted the young man somewhat cheerfully, “Help me find a blog which disappeared on me a day ago just as I finished writing, editing, and about to press Publish. It was so good, can’t bear the thought of losing that one.”  With a smile and corona protocol he wiped his working area, I planted my problem before him and he began the obviously routine search and rescue procedure. About three minutes in he indicates that my Blogger, not being web-based, does not contain the history in my computer. Two minutes later he asks if I’m okay with him writing an email to Google on my behalf (thank you, I couldn’t have explained the technics) requesting if they might retrieve from ‘somewhere.’ One minute later the email is sent. Still in confident professional manner, this young man probably noting the disappointment on my face, speaks apologetically, almost like a medical doctor having delivered bad news. Even as I thank him for this service, he sanitizes my device (something I hadn’t done for months so I depart with a cleaner laptop than when I came in). He wishes me well, “Maybe the new blog you write will be even better.”

Hmm, now my thinker kicks in (again). This techy guy actually had some interest in what I was about. Just reading a few before and after titles he probably caught the gist of the one that went away. His comment is not lost on me as I think more about that. The title of the lost blog was “Halal in my Freezer." I had written it complete with some references from the Quran as well as from the Bible. It was about some halal meat gifted to those of us who would willingly receive it from one of the Muslim participants in a neighborhood Zoom scripture study I had joined about fifteen months ago. I know a goodly number of my readers would have enjoyed reading it, and also some would have skipped over it after reading the title because they do not like me getting too fascinated by ‘other religions.'  [Me, I just smile at this. This has always been part and parcel of my Christian faith for as long as I can remember, seeing no contest with my faith in Jesus. This is essential thinking especially for today’s younger generation as we are all in changing neighborhoods and a repopulating world that will be their future].

So who has the Word of God for us these days? Although I am critical of the high tech IT industry profiting from the digital addiction all around, I will not disqualify this employee at the Geek counter who was relational to customers lining up before him with their problems. By doing his job in a pleasant personable manner he may well be a mouthpiece of God on a certain occasion, not necessarily all occasions. At the moment I am reading a novel, this one about the adventures and misadventures of the “Saints” (Latter Day Saints) caravaning westward both to escape persecution in eastern U.S. and on toward their holy land (Utah). This question comes up pointedly from a ten year-old girl quizzing one of their brave young men, “Aunt Sophie said that Brigham Young is God’s mouthpiece. Words flow right out of God’s heart into his mouth.” (Diane Noble, The Veil, 1998). Really? 😔😕  I have a problem with this Mormon presumption and some of my fellow Christians of the fundamentalist persuasion even more problem with it. However, fundamentalists almost similarly believe the Bible has come about by a divine dictation. 2 Timothy 3:16 almost suggests it,  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. This Timothy passage, however, is not about dictation; but about the inspiration and usefulness of scripture. Interestingly, Muslims also believe their Quran was by divine dictation to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), although what it means for the people requires lots of interpretation from their imams and scholars and resultant ummah variations not at all unlike all the Christian denominations and representative theologians competing for credibility (tenure?) these days.

When I get thinking about that question - Who has the Word of God? - and the possibility of a Word like from a computer technician, I am reminded of Jesus ‘in session’ with all the people, and some children were making some squirmy distractive noises, Jesus said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” And how about the teachings from the elders, much better practiced in Indigenous communities than in our churches. The young, the old, the farmers, the truckers, the geeks, the birds of the air all possible messengers of God. Glad I am to be a simple Mennonite still (Sigh, where two or three are gathered there am I with them ..(Matthew 18:20).

So, thinking still about the closing benediction from that Geek, I cannot but lament the lost blogpost. Maybe there was a divine reason why it needed to get purged! God's communication is certainly more than words or even thoughts. Yup, another verse from the good old Bible. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans (Romans 8:26). I have a South Sudanese friend who regularly reminds me that God communicates with us “in God’s way.”

True, true all of this. I may still ask my son in a day or two, when he is not busy re-sodding his back yard, where that blog may have disappeared to. If he can find it I will be even more surprised at God’s awesome ways! 😂

 

Mennonite Muslim Conversation

Time moves on and on. I have been reading somewhat sentimentally last couple of days.  I could not pass over this article I wrote some years ago - rendered especially meaningful given that our cross-cultural expert, Mrs Donna Entz,director of North Edmonton Ministry, has retired.  Relationships require meeting with one another, and if we do not know one another very well yet, the occasions of meeting need to be quite well planned. I commend this to our corporate memory as our journey continues.

May 15, 2013

 Mennonite Muslim Conversation

The article is to be brief, just a page sharing my impressions of the May 11 Saturday morning Muslim – Mennonite conversation. However, five days later this memorable event has not ceased to churn out ever new impressions. In the interest of brevity therefore, I will merely list some of the first impressions, and then be happy to expand or continue conversation on any of these items – in whatever other forum might be desirable.

My first impression was one of relief.  I entered the assembly room at Edmonton First Mennonite along with approximately 70 others – full house. Even among greetings and hugs there was a beautiful variety of colors and garb and languages.

2. Secondly, thanks to some coaching from Loren & Donna Entz, and some strategic ushering, we were spared the ‘swarming urge’ (sitting with your buddies), meaning that each table contained a nice mix of Mennonites and Muslims.

3. I was fascinated to note the influence of the presence of Imam Dr. Usama Al-Atar.  For example, after I was introduced to one of my table mates, my new friend noticed the esteemed presence at another table nearby. He promptly walked over to respectfully greet the leader - one hand upon his heart – and then back to continue cordial conversation at our table.  Obviously he could not even think of casual table chat without first taking care of protocol.  Deference to leaders or elders, I’m afraid, has gone missing for many years in our circles.

4. What a difference a good MC makes.  Miriam Gross did us proud in her cheerful, articulate and very well detailed presence at the microphone.

5.  Something about the message.  In his presentation, the Amim Dr. Usama was incredibly gracious, but the content of his presentation on Compassion also contained some pointed and instructive words, probably meant as a teaching for his people the Muslims as well as us Christians.  Who of us has heard a sermon recently about teaching manners to our children?  Amen. Preach it brother!

6.   I also recognized and finally came to appreciate a communication/ministry strategy which had already been operative in two previous days.  Jonathan Bornman had made extensive use of books written and materials prepared by his mentor Dr. David Shenk who was not present. Suddenly I got it! This was not laziness or lack of preparation on Jonathan’s part, but actually evidence of careful preparation - very important in learning to understand and communicate with traditions with high regard for elders! This practice is foreign to us in our egocentric ambitious academic and business environments, even though our Bible provides a good corrective. Jesus had disciples. The Apostle Paul worked with Silas, Barnabas, John Mark, Timothy, etc.

There is much more, but with these early impressions I rest my case.  I am now reading David Shenk’s, Journeys of the Muslim Nation and the Christian Church (Herald Press, 2003).  Anybody interested in forming a study group?

When a Church Gets Trashed

So I've been writing stridently, as I am wont to.  Apparently the one about "Where have all the Churches Gone" (July 29) was a hit - at least many of you said so. Thank you for the kind responses. The next post about church fundraising going to Go-Fund-Me's obviously is not a hit, at least not by the silence and the considerably smaller number of responses. I know I know, there are those who generally agree with my take on things, and also those who do not. I feel that sizzle from some of you! Thanks all for indulging me. 😐  Upon rereading this latest post, however, I've got to say I still agree exactly with what I wrote, also still quite akin to my high-octane lifestyle critique of May 10 ("Good-Lifers," also now available in spoken word, just for those of you who don't like to read). I am grateful to say, however, that now I can add a further vantage which had been slipping away.

It is the vantage of grace. Yes, you have read about that too - sometimes as closing clinchers to drive home the point - especially to all of us anxious workaholics! This time, however, it is what I would call situational grace - right before my eyes and straight to the depths of my soul. It's an occasion provided for me simply by reading. The latest issue of our Canadian Mennonite has a front page article, "Former Mennonite church building Vandalized" (July 19, p.16). I am surprised at my emotional response to this article. Firstly the indignation at boredom, those "undisciplined kids" who know not what to do with their time. I'm reminded of one of my dad's sayings, "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." Secondly, regarding my assertion in the July 29 post that buildings are not the church. I fully believe that still, but here find myself moved at the noble ongoing presence of an old clapboard building, the Horse Lake Church, closed down and still standing with unlocked doors, even a piano available for a lonely sentimental musician to come and play, some benches to pray, and a guest book. What a gift! That building obviously was a genuine presence in a rural community probably also containing a Catholic, several ecumenical, and a few evangelical or non-denominational churches, all of these on Indigenous land, Treaty 6. This empty church was true to itself and probably true to the neighborhood.

Now here is the clincher, my reason for some good gut laughter. The daughter of the current owners of that church building has begun a "fundraiser through Facebook." 😕 Oh my, in that latest blog I ranted and raved with righteous indignation at these modernish fundraisers with new names cropping up regularly in those stupid social-media pages! Well here is one, a totally spirit-led christian response to a misdemeanor among them. This is modern and it is good! With this fundraiser a community has opportunity for reparations to damage likely inflicted by the children of some of them! I visualize the vandals themselves with opportunity to donate - perhaps even involved in some putty-scraping windows repair! Thy will be done, O Lord.

²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. That's a long standing message in my Bible (Galatians 5:25). I am humbled to be reminded of God's grace right here. Also, I remain still strident enough to say that Go-Fund-Me's will never replace the joy and the dignity of regular participation in personal stewardship which always blesses the community of believers. I'm guessing that's how that church was built 111 years ago.