I remember with some fondness a light-hearted quote oft-used by one of my friends. A long long time ago before the Coronavirus pandemic - correction, a few years ago - several of us would do acquasize workouts at a local swimming pool, and then 'assemble' at nearby Tim Hortons to solve the world's problems. Now with several of these friends no longer in circulation and the remaining two of us living in different cities, our main communication is the trusty email. John ends most of these tomes with, “We need another world problem solving session.” We both know the likelihood of those meetings is perhaps over (almost)?
Beyond the fact that we no longer live near each other, I think we also know that
‘problem solving’ for us oldtimers was mainly axe grinding or spinning yarns or even self-reminders on what not to say in presence of so and so,
etc. So even all by itself my thinker has not yet stopped thinking! I proceed on topic similar to my last post, still on my mind, the
one about God’s continuing unchanging eternal presence regardless of times and
seasons. That one I dared to write as a theologian, even quoting considerable
scriptures. This time it’s also theological, but I’ll keep it more in coffee
shop parlance, or watering hole patter, or even truckers’ lingo if need be. After
all, I’ve been in all these places, very inspiring sometimes and totally exasperating
other times. One of the benefits of my trucking chapter was that in those
problem solving sessions (or bs as often the case) at the height of irritation I could always get up and walk away, a privilege not quite availed
during my years of pastoral ministry. The topic still: How is God present here,
there and everywhere, even outside the lines of the picture I think I'm drawing?
A number of scenarios come to mind. Uppermost is a group of South Sudanese Christians in our city. It is a part of some committee work I do, walking alongside a local congregation desiring to be hospitable to all in their neighborhood including these people immigrated from Africa. In spite of common claims of Christian faith, I am fascinated by differing ways of worship and communication. Ironically, even though these immigrant Africans also ‘solve world problems’ in coffee shops or watering holes, I confess that the greatest gift I receive here is the heartfelt requests to meet just because! That is a legitimate reason to get together. Friendship in this case is not about problem solving. And yet, even as appreciation is expressed and conversation continues, usually there is also a query about some kind of connection I may have perhaps to offer some support for a needy relative or a charity cause back in Africa. No pressure of course, and then to add just a touch of personal loneliness I notice that among my longtime local coffeeshop and church friends there is an avoidance of international relations type conversations because we’re not all on the same page about that one. Yes, the good old liberal – conservative fellowship.😓
Another example, this one from my reading. Recently it's been about Enneagrams - a personality analysis system which I was introduced to a long time ago in Clinical Pastoral Education in Seminary, and now recently reappeared as a newsy topic not only in our denomination’s news magazine,[i] but also a feature article in Sojourners, a U.S. based christian social justice magazine.[ii] Seems like a tried and true psychology tool emerging with new possibilities, possibly a valuable way to facilitate greater self-awareness to help us participate in community especially in today’s hyper-individualism. We need all the help we can get. However, this also being hailed with some hesitation. Some say it may be just another tool boxed and wrapped for us consumers until its glitter passes on. Maybe they’re right.
Another sample. I belong to what is sometimes labeled as the most liberal of the Mennonite churches, some referring to us as the United Church of the Mennonites. 😑 Our denominational publications put considerable emphasis on good journalism, good balanced coverage in a professional manner. Even within this niche we are quite image conscious, or should I say image anxious. Given some things not quite right in the populace, like reduced interest in church attendance, I am surprised at how many in our midst still refer to us as not being among ‘those evangelicals.’ And horrors, neither are we those horse and buggy people of rural Ontario or Indiana. Oh no; we are educated, smart and very well intentioned, and secretly we probably often wonder whether God ‘gets it’ or not. Even among this recent wokism, I cannot but notice that some of the more interesting writers in our periodicals do push the envelope a bit, easily writing about some old important questions. In our efforts to be credible and sensible, says Troy Watson, a Mennonite pastor from Stratford, ON, we are vulnerable to making secondary things the main things. In a recent column he reminds us that most important relationships are with God, with one another and our neighbors, including our enemies! Too often, says Watson, we focus on what and who we stand for and what and who we stand against. Our enemy is not human: our enemy has already been defeated; and the real battle is internal, in our hearts and minds.[iii]
Back to the down home vernacular, and I conclude with this. Two days ago I was privileged to visit several colonies of conservative Mennonites in and around Two Hills, Alberta. Our group of learned urbanites was treated with utmost hospitality by folks of the Old Colony, the Rheinlander, and the Kleine Gemeinde churches. These folks were not at all posting their knowledge; just doing what they believe to be God’s call on their life. The O.C. have come to rural Alberta because they need land for their large families. The Rheinlander and Kleine Gemeinde for similar reasons, even with their experience of new life in Jesus also need space that might feature a livelihood for their also large families. They need jobs, and worship and teaching space, lots of it. Church leaders do not have MDivs or DMins, and their accents grind pretty flat, especially among the most recent immigrants. However, the authority and confidence of these unpaid leaders is palpable. They are rural Alberta farmers, construction workers and business people, and every Sunday the people fill their churches to hear what they have to say!
My previous blog provides a strong case for God over and beyond all cultures and nations. I cannot but still rave on that conviction. God is indeed among the farmers, the immigrants, the weak and the strong, among the educated and uneducated, among environmentalists, affirming, progressives and fundamentalists, all invited to faith in the living God. It is now two weeks after Pentecost, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as recorded in the book of Acts, each participant in that worship heard the message in their own language (2:6). There are many languages and accents even among us learned and unlearned ones, and also immigrants and visitors as the world repopulates in many places.
How is God present here, there, and everywhere? I say God is present in all of these, and also not exclusively in any one of these. I may well have an issue with an Old Colony elder, and possibly also with some fundamentalist leanings among the Kleine Gemeinde. And of course, given latest Alberta election, in all churches we have the privilege of freely sitting side by side with those who voted NDP, UCP or otherwise, all of us worshiping God! These are my kin, brothers and sisters. Does that mean I am neutral? Not at all. Always there is need for conversation and confession. It means I look for ever increasing experience of God’s Spirit in me and among all in this huge fascinating back to the future world. Quite important this, extending grace instead of labeling enemies.
