Doing church. What is your take?

I would like to begin with the latest ad, which went across the world on the internet Friday. If you haven’t seen it yet, go to http://www.ucc.org/ and watch …


The concept of sharing ideas has changed form over the past year with a new website and a pastor’s blog and this week we became "tech-savvy evangelists" for a progressive, liberating, daring, bold, witness of God's extravagant welcome in everyday life.

I want to talk this morning about ‘doing church’ and what that means. ‘Doing church’ implies an action orientation. We are doing something. The quality and benefit of that activity lies in the doing part- whether it is in being (the quiet attitude of absorbing the gift of the moment) or acting (speaking, working, sharing, learning). The quality of the benefit gained lies in the degree of self-investment.

Doing church becomes part of our life in two ways- spiritually and emotionally. The connection we have by way of doing church is much like the participation we have in getting in the car for a long trip. When we are in the driver’s seat we plan the route, we put our hands on the wheel and control where the vehicle will take us. In a similar way, the invitation stands to lay your hands on the wheel and steer where this vehicle, the church, will take us. There is almost no benefit to be had by being a passive observer. Remember being a kid in the back seat of your parent’s car, not knowing where you were, how long it would take or where you were going? All we could do was repeatedly ask, “How long till we get there?” As adults, I don’t think we would want to return to that back-seat position in the vehicle.

There is a wide rift between religion (the back seat position) and spirituality (definitely front seat all the way). Religion concentrates on laws and punishment, with the hope of eventual redemption (arrival)someday. Spirituality begins with our moment of redemption (arrival) and moves on to discovery. Religion creates division of beliefs, people and choices -as good and evil. Spirituality unifies self by acceptance of the past, present and future and it unifies us to one another through truth.

I have practiced religion in a wide range of denominational faiths, and have ultimately found comfort here- it fits my soul and my beliefs. It should fit your soul and your beliefs, even if we differ, because there is plenty of room for diversity and discussion here. That is where growth happens. I have said it before and I will say it now and in the future, my food for thought is what comes from my soul. It will change and take on other nuances with time, and is not the definitive word on anything. As such, you are encouraged to take it if you agree, or leave it if you disagree. That being said, I welcome discussion and hope to dialogue about your life experience. The variance and diversity of our experiences bring richness and flavor to our shared doing church together.

On any given day, I hope what comes across is food for thought that stirs something within you, and you then consider what you believe. In that moment of conscious consideration, we can then view it alongside truth, and discard the beliefs which are not longer valid or no longer fit who we are today. I am not so much interested in convincing you that I am right and you are wrong (which is such a waste of energy) as I am interested in you growing and deepening what you believe because something you heard got you thinking.

I visualize truth as fluid and capable of supporting us as we dive deeper. That is how I have responded to differences of thought over the years. Differences should invite us to reconsider our position, our beliefs, our truth; and after we have reconsidered, perhaps we will modify our beliefs or position so that we come to a truth that we share! We grow as a result.

How does the UCC help us in that process of uncovering the truth within? It is a place where we are free to be who we are- and to allow others to be who they are. No legalities to meet for membership. There are no expectations to live up to before a person is deemed good enough to warrant membership. ‘Come as you are and be welcomed’ is the standard. There are always challenges in living out the ideal, just as there is a challenge or two that comes along with the ‘till death do us part’ promise for any couple.

What then is the mortar which connects us to one another through difficulties, conflict and the ordinary work of everyday living? It is the excitement we all feel in listening for God to speak, as he speaks still. Like a breath of air that comes gently to us as a summer morning dawns, something within us sturs and is awakened.

The voice of God is found in a language so compelling and moving that we get to hear God's undeniable welcome and discover for ourselves the reason to celebrate life. Through each person, we hear the language of God spoken.

"God is still speaking" invites a deeper reflection and dialogue across the full spectrum and diversity of the voices found in our community. Without reaching out to invite others in, we are missing some of the words which speak to the fullness of our experience.

Think of it this way---until today, we have heard the first part of the sentence. This is your experience of God, the world, the people around you, and of yourself to date. It says certain things to you- and certain things to me. Both are valid. But the sentence is not complete. Now there is a coma- a grammatical indication of a pause with something to follow. And what is to follow? Ah, that is what we are here to discover- to listen for ,if you will.

If we delve into what was pure and innocent in us- as an individual and as a church, we will discover God all over again. The lens through which we bring God into a clearer focus is the life and identity of the United Church of Christ. When we talk about the experience of church, the difference between the UCC and another denomination, I would compare them as objects through which we are permitted to see the world around us. In some places, there are many requirements and laws meant to limit a person’s life experience; it is as if the person is looking through a pinhole. Some find comfort in  looking through a key hole- there is more to see but much is still missed- and squinting with one eye closed for years can create dreadful wrinkles! For others, the ability to see may be limited only by a type of side blinder, like the race horses wear, limiting only peripheral vision; it is better but not complete.

And then there is the UCC. We are invited to translate what we see in and through our wide and welcoming experience. For sure, ours is not an exhaustive translation; yet, it is an in-depth, thoughtful, creative, studious, inspiring translation.
We are open for business. And what is really exciting about that is what we get to do with being open. Our vision is as expansive as we dare to make it. Our ears will hear God speaking as long as we are listening. What feels unimaginable right now is the idea that we are helping to change the very character and theological discourse of the Christian church, to fully include and embrace the most excluded people, cultures, and ideas. That is dramatic and life affirming!

What would it feel like to include people in our community who have been excluded by other denominations? Certainly we would need to adjust to the wounds and baggage and fears of others. But that shouldn't feel so unfamiliar- don’t you remember what we were like 4 years ago? We were the wounded with baggage and fears. Now, perhaps we can help someone release what has injured them if we offer them something else- a hand extended in friendship, a cup of coffee, a shoulder to lean on. There is more to do- our sentence is not complete yet. We must keep watching for opportunity to find the next words.

If it seems like a lot to ask of us, it is. This concept of inclusion was unimaginable for those first Disciples of Christ. Some even resisted opening wide the doors of their beliefs and temples and synagogues; but there were those who not only flung them open, they took them down.

There is no consensus about what God is saying. It is for each individual to discover that voice within.

But the UCC has begun the sentence- No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome in the United Church of Christ,....

See it as an invitation to participate in something greater than our individual selves or history of the institutional church. And what do we get in return? Diversity, which brings with it greater possibility, and breaking down walls that limit our vision just may reveal a wonderful world with breathtaking views.

You are in the driver’s seat, there is room on the steering wheel for your hands to join mine and there is plenty more room at the wheel for others to join us. The fascinating thing about doing church is that the more people there are, the more room there is for additional people.