The follow-up Study and Discussion Sessions on the Biblical and Theological issues surrounding the ELCA resolutions regarding same-sex relationships and homosexual clergy will be starting up in December!  There will be two sessions offered, one on Sunday mornings starting on December 6 for the Adult Forum at 9:45am, and one on Thursday evenings starting on January 14 at 7:00pm.  *PLEASE SIGN UP AT THE INFORMATION DESK – or – email me at pastor.kent@christusvictor.org.

We will be using Mark Allen Powell’s series “How Lutherans Interpret the Bible” to give us a foundation to work from as we begin to address the Biblical texts in question.  The seven sessions will cover:

• The Word of God
• What Lutherans Say About the Bible
• Where the Bible Comes From
• Interpreting the Bible in Context
• Determining Right from Wrong
• The Many Meanings of the Bible
• Devotional Bible Reading

Sunday Forum Schedule: Dec. 6, Dec. 13, Jan. 10, (Jan. 17 – Committee Fair; Jan. 24 – Annual Meeting), Jan. 31, Feb. 7, Feb. 14.

Thursday Evening Schedule: Jan. 14, Jan. 21, Jan. 28, Feb. 4, Feb. 11, Feb. 18, Mar. 4

Please contact me if you have any questions about this series. 

It is my deep hope and prayer that a large number of Christus Victor members and all interested people will take the opportunity to learn more about the Bible and our Lutheran Theology, to help guide and shape our discussions and discernment when we confront any disagreement over the intrepretation and application of the Scriptures in our individual and communal lives of faith as disciples of Jesus Christ.

After two informational meetings regarding the ELCA CWA resolutions, I am struck by how hard it is to listen to each other, especially to try and understand a different point of view, interpretation, or belief from our own.  Part of the challenge is internal as we mull over our own views, beliefs, etc. in an attempt to come up with a rebuttal, and some clarity in our own minds about what we believe and why.  In any case listening is hard work, and it is not something we do very well.

I am also struck by the parallels in our difficulties listening to those that are right in front of us, speaking in a language we can understand, about ideas and information that are not totally beyond our comprehension, with our difficulties listening to God.  Listening to God is complicated by the fact that God, though with us, is not literally in front of us, nor speaking a language we can understand (and no I am not referring to the original languages of the Bible, nor necessarily the Bible itself – but prayer and listening to the “still small voice” of God), added to the fact that God is beyond our comprehension and understanding (seriously, who fully comprehends and understands the divine mystery that is the Trinity, the Incarnation, let alone the Resurrection, without faith?).  Yet that is one of the central statements of the Bible and of the Christian faith:  God is constantly communicating with us and we can “listen” and respond.

In the midst of our congregations conflict over the ELCA resolutions (not the first conflict nor the last), a significant number of people from both informational meetings want to gather together to study and discuss the Biblical and Theological issues underlying our differences.  This desire to learn, discuss, and struggle with these serious issues of faith and our common life, gives me great hope for our church.  And while I am working on a number of opportunities for people to study and learn, it is also clear to me that we need to learn together to listen to God.  If Christ is at the center of our church (and I know He is), and the Holy Spirit continues to lead and guide us (because Jesus promised), then we had best learn how to listen to God to find our way through these challenges into the future God is calling us into.  Therefore I am looking for a group of people that will commit to meeting with me for six months, starting in January, as part of an international, ecumenical journey of discovery in listening to God.  If you’d like some more information of what this might entail, please check out the materials on John Ackerman’s website.  He is my spiritual director and will be leading and facilitating this discovery process.  This group will be separate from the study groups that I will be offering.  If you are interested, please contact me at church so we can talk more about this opportunity to grow in faith through listening to God.

I’m reading a book called, “Transforming Congregational Culture,” by Anthony Robinson.  It was recommended to me after reading and discussing a few other books on church ministry and addressing the changing culture while on my sabbatical.  So the learning and growing goes on.  As I read through this book, I will be posting some thoughts, reflections, and questions to ponder as we continue to address the need to change and be changed by God for the sake of our souls and of the world.

We don’t need anyone to tell us that the mainline churches in America are facing many challenges and changes from without and from within.  This shouldn’t be new or surprising to folks, although how these changes and challenges are manifesting themselves may be new and surprising, if not disconcerting.  Nor should it be surprising that there continues to be steady change in how Americans think and behave where religion is concerned.  This is not just a mainline issue! 

In times such as these, and we are not alone in the story of God’s people on earth of having “times such as these,” I am reminded of the church camp song, “The Rock!”  The words come right out of Psalm 18: 46 - The Lord Lives!  Blessed be my ROCK, and exalted be the God of my salvation!”  I need a rock to stand on, a firm foundation when life is so shakey and uncertain.  If it feels like you are on ever shifting sands, perhaps what you are relying on for stability is not God, but something else that has become a substitute for God.  Power, possessions, and prestige in one form or another often are the substitutes we go to instead of seeking God.  God wants to take away any and all substitutes that we have put in place of God, so that God can be our Rock, our center, our very life.

Change is actually the point.  God wants to change us, save us, and transform our lives.  So, I end with the beginning of Robinson’s book on transforming congregations, it begins with a question: what is our God given purpose?  Who is God calling us and changing us to be, and from that, what is God calling us to do?  This is not a one time question, but the guiding question for us as Christians in community, keeping us focused on God our Rock!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12: -13

(Rev. Williams’ text for her sermon on the occasion of the 2nd Anniversary of Lilly of the Valley AME.)

As I sat in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday night, my soul and mind being moved by the grace and power filled words of Pastor Denita, the congregation responding with “amen” and “hallelujah” and claps of approval, I wondered about the connection and disconnection between “running our own race” as a church, and, “running our own race” as individual followers of Jesus Christ.  

Whether we are consciously aware of it or not, we at Christus Victor are caught in the comparison game with the other Lutheran churches surrounding us.  Easter in Eagan, Shepherd of the Valley in Apple Valley, Prince of Peace in Burnsville, and Hosanna in Lakeville, not to mention Grace and Community of Hope as well, and settled in the middle of our massive siblings is little old Christus Victor.  Funny thing is, when compared with all of the churches across the ELCA, little old CV isn’t so small after all.  We’re in the top 97% in terms of worship attendance and membership!!!  We are not small!  

Yet when we take our eyes off of following Jesus, running our own race of faith set for us by God, we get “thrown off” the course.  Instead of focusing on the people and the ministry at hand, whether that be teaching Faith Trek, singing in a choir, serving on a committee, doing our part for Joyful Servants on Sunday mornings, or whatever the situation may be, we c0mpare ourselves to the other churches and worry about what we are not doing or can’t do that they are doing.

Take the garage sale as an example.  Literally hundreds of people donated items and helped make the CV garage sale a great success!  Over $16,300 was raised!!!  Yippee, Hallelujah, and Praise the Lord!!!  Right?

Well… A number of CV people and neighbors of CV just had to get into the comparison game.  “Pastor, did you hear that Prince of Peace raised over $160,000 with their garage sale?”  Yeah, of course I knew.  And they had better make 10 times what CV made, because they are over 10 times larger than we are.  If they didn’t they’re doing something wrong.

The point is we need to run our own race.  What is God doing here at CV, do we have any reason to give thanks and praise to the Lord?  Are our struggles God’s Call for us to change and grow instead of giving up and giving in?  Where is the Spirit of God blowing us, and are we opening our souls and our sails to go where God wants us to go, what God wants us to do, and who God wants us to become? 

Since Jesus Christ is the author and perfector of our faith, wouldn’t it be a good idea then, to keep our eyes, ears, minds, and hearts focused on Jesus instead of comparing ourselves and worrying about everybody else?   Do other churches have things to teach us?  Absolutely!  Do we have a lot yet to learn, more to grow, and not only be open to change, but seek to be changed by God and with God’s help?  Yep!

The issue for the church and for each of us as individuals is to identify both what is hindering and entangling us/you from keeping fixed on Jesus, then ask for help in dealing with that (yes, folks, that means prayer and the support of other Christians!).  And then, do those things we know we need to do to help us stay fixed on Jesus, and continue to run our race of faith.

You know what I’m talking about: worship (coming with a worshipful attitude), daily prayer, daily devotions, lifelong education/learning, serving others, giving financially and growing in giving,  inviting people to church/telling others about your faith (especially your family!), getting to know new people and welcoming them, use your gifts to help others.  If any of this is new or strange to you, please let me know, I’d love to talk with you more, because I want to help you run your race of faith in Jesus Christ.