Riding on the L-Train

I flew to Chicago two weekends back for my sister's college graduation from North Park University. Though I've flown often (a few times every year it seems) I was struck by the sheer miracle of observing people in the city, on the train, in planes and airports, all on their cell phones.

What makes that a "miracle?" Certainly not the underlying physics or technology; we understand those well enough to make the wireless work. Not the economics that put wireless tools in so many hands, which I might also characterize as miraculous but was not what catalyzed my observation. Imagine me in O'Hare International, hundreds of miles from home, with a cellphone clipped to my ear*. That I could be so free to travel, work, be in a new place, and yet so thoroughly woven into the fabric of our world, able to talk to anyone and access huge amounts of information, seems worthy of being named a miracle.

Our grandparents, never mind our ancestors, could not have imagined the possibilities we have. I'd bet that given the choice they would do everything they could to join our world, to choose with so much freedom which paths they would follow (or create!).

During the weekend Mom and I had a conversation about this, and she commented about the insensitivity with which some people use their wireless miracles. It certainly happens. But the way in which we are increasingly available to each other, able to work together and quickly collaborate, that makes the world seem to move faster and faster, is the same dynamic that has given me in my 24 years more time and opportunity to pursue non-professional interests (like this) than my grandparents had in their whole lives. Like a miracle.

"So," you ask, "where is the Jesus in all of this?"

The people at North Park immerse themselves in the quest for "lives of significance." Lives that are visible signs of something larger than the individual's heartbeat. It's a Christian school of the Swedish Covenant Church, and though "lives of significance" is a very broad phrase I recognize something of Christ's call in it.

The modern world has given Christ's disciples millions of helpful miracles. If we choose, we might by their use bring the Realm of Love inches closer to Being. The possibilities tantalize me; what wonderful thing will we do next? How can I be a part of it? -h


*How long until we implant them under our skin? Oakley already makes sunglasses with built-in mp3 audio; how long until glasses with video phone?! Wowie!

Thoughts Prompted by Rick Ufford-Chase

The post at Bill Tammeus' blog today included a great story that's relevant for us at St. Peter's, and for all churches seeking to survive the passing of the WWII-generation. Bill reports on the address given by Rick Ufford-Chase, the highest elected officer of the Presbyterian Church (USA):

...When he spoke in our sanctuary, he said that people older than him primarily have been devoted to the institutional church. Which is to say they are happy coming to worship on Sunday, singing in the choir, being on committees, teaching Sunday school and so forth.

"Maintaining the institution of church is not going to cut it for people my age," he said. "What young adults want to know is how will being a member of this church help me live my life more faithfully in the world."

His conclusion: "We have to disciple people again."

Like most Mainline churches, the Presbyterian denomination has been steadily losing members. And Rick thinks part of the reason is that we don't understand how to mentor and give responsibility to young adults.

"Our churches," he says, "are not invested in change at this point."

Clearly there is much about church that those of us who have been long-time members want to keep. But the question is whether we're wise enough to do that while at the same time moving toward new models of church that will meet the needs and desires of young people.

I don't think you throw out the core of what the church is to get there. But surely we can ask some hard questions about the need to maintain what has been in place for a long time. Why do we still do things that way? Is there a faithful and authentic way to do things differently?

I'm not sure what the future is for Mainline churches. But I'm glad people like Rick are deeply invested in that future and challenging not just Presbyterians but all people of faith to rethink the way we try to live out our faith.

My comments; I think most young adults are not even at a place of seeking to live "more faithfully in the world," but simply seeking some meaning outside of personal experience. Or reality may even be a step back, two generations of young people (X-ers and Millenials) unaware what the vague hunger in the corners of their hearts is for.

I think we all understand how to give responsibility to young adults. You give us responsibility. But that's scary, because we would change some things. The question is whether a congregation will pass the torch in time to have a shot at surviving (for the continuing work of Christ's realm of love). We're in the middle of that leap of faith here.

I have a sense of urgency about this; the window of opportunity is closing. In 10 or 15 years, X-ers' children will either have been introduced to meaningful church or not, and Millenials will have made a general decision about whether the church is willing to be a partner in our world-changing or not. I worry that the church is not moving fast enough. The longer the church waits to dive in, the less impact it will have. As I see it, Millenials (roughly born after 1980) in our early adulthood will have a pivotal influence on the trajectory of this human project. We're where the action is. We will remake our planet, our culture, our daily lives, and quite likely even the definition of being "human." Churches ought to work like mad to be involved in this process.

There's a long human tradition of each generation thinking it is somehow special, entrusted with cosmic responsibilites, when it is really just another step along the path. I may be guilty of that kind of thinking. But I suspect not, because of the internet. More about that, and my recent trip to Chicago, in my next post.

MAY 6 YOUTH EVENT WORSHIP

Most of you blog-readers and St. Peter's-members were not able to participate in Saturday's MMS-UCC Western Association Youth Event, "It's Better To Light A Candle,". We had a beautiful worship experience, and below I've copied the "bulletin" for you; maybe you will be inspired, or curious, or confused (please ask!), or something else. But something, I hope. -h

It’s Better to Light a Candle,

Gathering

GATHERING MUSIC: “Aspera” Erin McKeown
“The Middle” Jimmy Eat World

CALL TO WORSHIP

*OPENING SONG: “We Lift Up Our Hearts”
1, 4: We lift up our hearts, we lift up our hearts,
We lift up our hearts to the Living One! (2x)

2: We center our lives, we center our lives,
We center our lives in the ground of Christ! (2x)

3: We open our minds, we open our minds,
We open our minds to the Spirit’s wind! (2x)

*OPENING WORDS & PRAYER:
Leader: We see ourselves, O God, people of faith and faithlessness -
People: Dancing in the sun one day, and overwhelmed by our realities the next,
Leader: Joyfully announcing the gospel sometimes,
People: And then trembling in our uncertainty.
All: We see the hope that lies among us – And hope that we would care to live
with compassion for each other and for the world. Amen.

WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Sharing the Word

READING OF THE WORD: Psalms 37:1 and Romans 12:1-2

MINISTRY OF MUSIC: “Shine” Ed Roland

MESSAGE: “Looking For Goodness” Ed Chasteen

Response: “Every Move I Make”
Na, na, na-na-na-na-na!!!!!!!!11111111111

Every move I make I make in you – you make me move, Jesus!
Every breath I take I take in you
Every step I take I take in you – you are my way, Jesus!
Every breath I take I breathe in you

Waves of mercy, waves of grace - Everywhere I look, I see your face
Your love has captured me - O, my God, this love, how can it be?!

Responding to the Word

SHARING OUR REQUESTS FOR PRAYER

HYMN OF PREPARATION: “Sanctuary”
Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary / Pure and holy, tried and true
With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living / Sanctuary for you.

SERVICE OF PRAYER: Prayer, time of silence, and Lord’s prayer.

Response: “Amazing Grace”

1, 5: Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved and set me free
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see
Alleluia, alleluia…

2: ‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed

3: Through many dangers, toils, and snares we have already come
‘Twas grace that brought us safe thus far, and grace will lead us home

4: When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun

INVITATION TO OFFERING

Sending Forth

*CLOSING SONG: “The Bond of Love”
1, 3: We are one in the bond of love, we are one in the bond of love,
We have joined our spirit with the Spirit of God,
We are one in the bond of love!

2: Let us sing now, everyone – let us feel God’s love begun,
Let us join our hands that the world will know,
We are one in the bond of love!

*BENEDICTION: Andy Bryan

*POSTLUDE: “Beautiful Day” U2

Participants:
YOU!, Ed Chasteen of Hatebusters, Howie Howard of St. Peter’s KC, Andy Bryan of 1st United Methodist N. KC, Carol Shanks of MO Mid-South Conf. UCC, Matt Pluff of Five Star Crush, Jody Wright of St. Peter’s KC

It’s Better to Light A Candle, – UCC Youth Event 2K6 sponsored by the Western Ass’n – May 6, St. Peter’s, KC

* = STAND UP!!!111

Karen Armstrong on BookTV

Karen Armstrong was on C-SPAN's "BookTV" program a couple weeks ago; I missed the broadcast, but watched online this past weekend. Highly suggested viewing.

Her new book, "The Great Transformation", is about the beginnings of four major thought-traditions: Jewish/Christian monotheism, Greek rationalism, Buddhism + Hinduism, and Confucianism + Taoism. Across the world from 700-200 BCE, these traditions took shape simultaneously in a time called the "Axial age." The talk was a well-presented overview of her main lines of thought, and I made notes of especially big ideas or effective crystallizations of them, shared here.

The Axial age was a time of a "great transformation of consciousness" in diverse areas; the religions that grew out of the Axial age are flowerings of the seeds planted at that time, in-line with Axial insights. There has been nothing comparable in scope until the age of Enlightenment (currently in process).

The Axial sages (Jesus, Buddha, Confucius, Greek philosophers) were not concerned with beliefs, metaphysics, or religiosity*. They were into DOING THINGS that CHANGE A PERSON profoundly; disciplines, practices, and socially constructive work of all kinds**. It was a time when the idea of individualism was beginning to take hold, and the sages agreed that the Transcendent was found at the opposite pole from ego. Self-emptying*** was understood to be the way towards God. Compassion - not confession.

Compassion not just for your own family, or tribe, or other group - compassion that extends to include everyone (we might amend; everything). And how was compassion understood? As practical help, not emotion. A compassionate person supports and aids others, looking out for others, especially when such care cannot be returned. Such compassion, as the Axial sages understood it, we need as much as ever right now; it's in our own individual and communal interest to look out for and take care of everyone. (Obvious examples: global warming, the US health care system).

At this point, Armstrong asked rhetorically "So what went wrong?" She sees that modern society does not fully embody Axial insights. Certainly, we're not perfect. But assuming you're familiar with many of the problems and suffering of the past 2300 years, I'll ask "So what's gone right?" Dear Reader, you are much much much less likely to die of violence, starvation, disease, or exposure than an average Axial age person was! You are educated beyond the sages' wildest dreams. You consider things that were commonly held at the time (racisism, feudalism, patriarchy, and a host of other injustices) morally reprehensible. Many of you embrace such circle-widening ideas as diversity and feminism!

I submit to you that the insights and wisdom of the Axial sages has been a powerful force in our history for peace, justice, and the changes we've made and are making in order to create more of both. It's hard work! - the Axials (remember; Jesus!) were not calling for a once-a-week uplift. They were calling us to transform our lives and our societies. We've moved in fits and starts, struggling to find our way... but you can't tell me we're not moving. As Armstrong says, we don't need new sages; it's all there.

All we need is to rediscover daily the heart of compassion at the core of the Axial traditions. -h

* Armstrong persuasively argues in "The Battle for God" that the current obsession with "beliefs," i.e. "Jesus died for my sins," is a recent development that dates to the 18th century and is not particularly traditional or Scriptural at all.
** Not associated with "salvation" or earning grace.
*** Yes, you must be a relatively healthy "self" before effectively practicing self-emptying.