Saturday, April 4, 2009
New and Improved Blog at FreeBaptist.org
I have moved my FreeBaptist.org blog directly to my FreeBaptist.org server. This will eliminate confusion and allow me to use WordPress for blogging. Please update your bookmarks to http://freebaptist.org for my blog location! This site at blogger will no longer be updated.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Walking with Christ
One of the purposes of following the Christian year in our worship is to make talking with Christ through each season the focus of our lives rather the secular calendar and the secular world being the focus of our lives.
If we read the scriptures carefully we find that the early church called itself the "People of the Way." The focus of following Jesus was just that, following Jesus in their daily lives. The focus was on being a Christian each day of their life. The focus was more on the journey than the destination.
Unfortunately much of Christianity for many focuses almost entirely on the beginning of the Christian faith (experiencing conversion) or on the end of the Christian faith (the second coming of Christ.) But, less is written about Christian living. That is the pilgrimage of following Jesus Christ, of Christianity as a way of being and living.
In a period of church history in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales Celtic Christians were more focused on faith as a pilgrimage. They focuses on seeing God in and through creation and living life as a walk with Christ. Here is one of my favorite hymns from the Northumbria Community which seeks to capture some of the essence of that period of church history and devotion.
If we read the scriptures carefully we find that the early church called itself the "People of the Way." The focus of following Jesus was just that, following Jesus in their daily lives. The focus was on being a Christian each day of their life. The focus was more on the journey than the destination.
Unfortunately much of Christianity for many focuses almost entirely on the beginning of the Christian faith (experiencing conversion) or on the end of the Christian faith (the second coming of Christ.) But, less is written about Christian living. That is the pilgrimage of following Jesus Christ, of Christianity as a way of being and living.
In a period of church history in Ireland, Scotland, and Wales Celtic Christians were more focused on faith as a pilgrimage. They focuses on seeing God in and through creation and living life as a walk with Christ. Here is one of my favorite hymns from the Northumbria Community which seeks to capture some of the essence of that period of church history and devotion.
Canticle
Christ, as a light
illumine and guide me.
Christ, as a shield
overshadow me.
Christ under me;
Christ over me;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.
This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Christ as a light;
Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me
on my left and my right.
This canticle encourages the Christian to let Christ work through, in, and all around us. In this Lenten Season and in our Christian walk may it ever be so!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Academy of Parish Clergy
This week I attend my first annual meeting of the Academy of Parish Clergy. The Academy began in the 1968 with a grant from the Lilly Endowment to explore issues of leadership development for parish clergy. Since its founding the APC has created standards for clergy continuing education, offered continuing education and development conferences, and have advocated the importance of continuing growth and standards of excellence for clergy.
This year's conference was on the topic of clergy health. The conference had excellent speakers, meaningful worship, and opportunities to connect with clergy of many different denominations from around the country. Soon the APC will be developing a new web presence. But, a lot of good information is still available at the current site located here.
The APC also is creates a top ten list of the best books of the year for parish clergy and gives an annual book of the year award. In addition the APC produces a journal with helpful articles and book reviews.
If you are serving in parish ministry I hope that you'll considering checking out the Academy of Parish Clergy!
Timothy Bonney, APC
This year's conference was on the topic of clergy health. The conference had excellent speakers, meaningful worship, and opportunities to connect with clergy of many different denominations from around the country. Soon the APC will be developing a new web presence. But, a lot of good information is still available at the current site located here.
The APC also is creates a top ten list of the best books of the year for parish clergy and gives an annual book of the year award. In addition the APC produces a journal with helpful articles and book reviews.
If you are serving in parish ministry I hope that you'll considering checking out the Academy of Parish Clergy!
Timothy Bonney, APC
Sunday, January 25, 2009
First Baptist Church of Greater Des Moines
First Baptist Church of Des Moines officially changed its name today to First Baptist Church of Greater Des Moines. Why the change? Our history as First Baptist Church of Des Moines as the very first Baptist congregation in the Des Moines metro area is an important part of our history and heritage. And, while we are now in Johnston, a suburb of Des Moines, we have members from all over the metro area. We are the First Baptist Church of Johnston but we are also the First Baptist Church of and in the Des Moines metro area. First Baptist Church of Greater Des Moines better describes our history and status as a metro congregation.
In coming weeks our website will be updated to reflect our new name. You can find our website at www.fbcdsm.org or at www.fbcjohnston.org.
In coming weeks our website will be updated to reflect our new name. You can find our website at www.fbcdsm.org or at www.fbcjohnston.org.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Forum Burnout
I've been on the internet since before it was cool. :-) I started out using electronic communication with Ecunet, and online Christian communication network that began back in the 1980. (I know, that's before the dawn of time in internet years.). It started with a communication software called Bizlink and it was a proprietary dialup system.
Since then I've been involved in a number of listservs, yahoo groups, and web forums. Over the years I have experienced some good Christian fellowship, gotten to know a lot of different Christians around the US, and had some good theological discussion and dialogue. But, lately, I'm feeling burned out with the whole thing.
It seems on some of the forums I frequent that the discussions have degenerated into red state/blue state disagreements and fighting over theological hotbutton issues that seem to go on for pages but never change anyone's mind. Rather than dialogue it often becomes either preaching to the choir or tar and feathering your opponent. Worse, it seems much easier to be polemical when speaking online in ways that most people would never be comfortable exchanging ideas face to face.
The internet is a great tool for communication. But, like all tools, it has limitations. Forums are limited by their impersonal distance conversation to print alone. You can't see facial expression. You can't tell tone of voice. And, in many ways, you can't have a full dialogue.
Maybe an old fashioned conversation over a cup of coffee should be the next high tech trend.
Since then I've been involved in a number of listservs, yahoo groups, and web forums. Over the years I have experienced some good Christian fellowship, gotten to know a lot of different Christians around the US, and had some good theological discussion and dialogue. But, lately, I'm feeling burned out with the whole thing.
It seems on some of the forums I frequent that the discussions have degenerated into red state/blue state disagreements and fighting over theological hotbutton issues that seem to go on for pages but never change anyone's mind. Rather than dialogue it often becomes either preaching to the choir or tar and feathering your opponent. Worse, it seems much easier to be polemical when speaking online in ways that most people would never be comfortable exchanging ideas face to face.
The internet is a great tool for communication. But, like all tools, it has limitations. Forums are limited by their impersonal distance conversation to print alone. You can't see facial expression. You can't tell tone of voice. And, in many ways, you can't have a full dialogue.
Maybe an old fashioned conversation over a cup of coffee should be the next high tech trend.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Endorsements - A Misunderstanding of the Call to Preach
Most of the above is just bunk to find a way to try to tell your congregation that they should vote the way you'd like them to. Why is it bunk?
1. Our freedom as Americans - Christians are to be Christians first and Americans second. And, Pastors are to answer to their call first and to the freedoms second. The call to preach is a call to interpret the scriptures for God's people. It isn't and avenue for us to push our own opinions or use our pastoral power to campaign for a candidate.
2. Pulpit Freedom - This one is a real misnomer. Pastors are not free in the pulpit. We aren't free to preach our own opinions. We aren't free to use the pulpit as a soap box for subject matter outside of the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. When a Christian pastor stands in the pulpit she or he has a sacred responsibility to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, nothing more, nothing less, and nothing else.
3. I have a responsibility to my congregation to tell them what is right - Now how paternalistic is that? Congregations of Christians are thinking people who also have the Holy Spirit. Pastors are not the spiritual nanny for the congregation. Again, it is the gospel we are called to preach. We aren't their to interpret partisan politics, explain the economy, or tell them how or what to think. We are there to "rightly divide the word of truth."
Does this mean that I and other pastors shouldn't have political opinions? No indeed! I have my own opinions and have already voted my conscience in early Iowa voting. What it does mean is that I don't have the right to act as if my opinions are the same as God's opinions, my church's opinions, or my parishioners opinions. I only have the right to speak for God where God speaks. And, even then, pastors must do so with humility recognizing the fallible nature of our understanding of the will of the Almighty.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Churches Choosing to Violate the Law for Partisan Politics
Today some pastors of churches are participating in a movement to violate federal law by endorsing a candidate from the pulpit. They believe that their right to preach as they feel led is being infringed upon. However, what they are choosing to do violates both the separation of church and state and their duty as a pastor to represent their whole congregation.
When a pastor stands in the pulpit she or he is represented God and their congregation. It is their responsibility not to put personal opinions out from the pulpit, to act as if they know the mind of God were the mind of God has not been revealed, or to misrepresent that the members of their church ought to vote for a certain candidate to be a good Christian.
According to Americans United for Separation of Church and State, all non-profit organizations have to follow these same rules of not endorsing candidates. This does not mean a pastor cannot state opinions about legislation, moral issues facing our nation, or other areas of politics. It does mean that the pastor is prohibited from engaging in partisan politics.
"The only thing houses of worship may not do is endorse or oppose candidates for public office or use their resources in partisan campaigns. This restriction, which is found in federal tax law, is not limited to churches and other religious ministries. In fact, it is applied to every non-profit organization in the country that holds a tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
When a pastor stands in the pulpit she or he is represented God and their congregation. It is their responsibility not to put personal opinions out from the pulpit, to act as if they know the mind of God were the mind of God has not been revealed, or to misrepresent that the members of their church ought to vote for a certain candidate to be a good Christian.
According to Americans United for Separation of Church and State, all non-profit organizations have to follow these same rules of not endorsing candidates. This does not mean a pastor cannot state opinions about legislation, moral issues facing our nation, or other areas of politics. It does mean that the pastor is prohibited from engaging in partisan politics.
"The only thing houses of worship may not do is endorse or oppose candidates for public office or use their resources in partisan campaigns. This restriction, which is found in federal tax law, is not limited to churches and other religious ministries. In fact, it is applied to every non-profit organization in the country that holds a tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Contrary to the claims of many in the Religious Right, the IRS is not singling out houses of worship for special regulation. Thousands of educational, scientific, charitable and literary organizations hold the 501(c)(3) status, and all must abide by the legal requirement barring involvement in elections." from AU Website at http://projectfairplay.org/brochure/.
The pastors who choose to endorse a candidate today are irresponsibly risking the loss of their church's tax exempt status. But, far worse they are allowing their own personal politics to take precedence over their call as a pastor to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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