Tonight my friend Kate and I ventured to Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA to hear Donald Miller speak, along with the faith director of Barack Obama's campaign. I don't know what I was expecting but I was pleasantly surprised.
This wasn't a lecture, but truly a conversation. Donald spoke about his recent visits with various college groups to break the silence or unknowing around some particularly important issues, that become one issue issues for some voters. (Check out his post on his blog that describes a lot of what he spoke about tonight and throughout his "tour.")
What surprised me was how sincere he was as he simply responded to every one's questions, not from a script but from his soul, his heart, his gut. He truly seems like the kinda guy I would love to have a beer with.
And just think it was okay to talk faith and politics. It was a good day.
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith. Show all posts
Monday, October 06, 2008
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Living Faith - Stewardship
Well, it is that time of year when many congregations, and individual persons are reviewing and deciding upon their budgets for the year. And stewardship seems to be one of the areas that we often shy away from talking about, preaching about (except that one "Stewardship Sermon" that all preachers are forced to do each year), and challenging ourselves and others.
And so I ask why?
I think (and others do as well) that we struggle with this because we begin in the wrong place. We begin with the money (and for those of you that know me know I am the first to say that stewardship is about much, much more than money)and we get stuck. We get stuck because money becomes the tag by which we identify ourselves, by which we seek to become ourselves.
What if, just what if we seek to begin in another place? What if we were to begin in faith? In prayer? In thanksgiving to God who gifts us with all that we are and all that we have? What happens if we start in this place?
Well, first thing is we must admit our fear. Our fear that we no longer have full control. Our fear that we no longer are in our comfort zone or safe space. Our fear that we might feel this. And we should feel this. We should feel our giving - if not it is just casting off the left-overs, things, time, and money that we would have just thrown away anyway.
Many churches and people believe that we are commanded, no, rather required to give 10% of all that we have. And yes, biblically, 10% or a tithe is what is held up as an example, as a shooting point, but in a different way - as money that is given above and beyond the committed support of the local community.
We are called to give proportionately, as a commitment to our church or faith community. Proportionate giving is giving from ones means - meaning that those who don't make as much money should never be expected to give the same amount as someone who makes a lot of money; nor should a person in a unique situation (single parent with three kids, medical bills, caring for an elderly parent, etc...) be expected to give the same amount as a retired couple who are enjoying their golden years.
So as we plan our budgets, vote on our budgets, and determine our commitments for the upcoming year let us ask the question of ourselves and our communities - As a disciple of Christ, how am I called to support my congregation with my financial commitment in the coming year? Do I start with my church commitment, and then go from there? Am I giving enough that I feel it, that I notice it? Are there circumstances in my life that I need to pay attention to in order to be a good steward?
It can be scary. It is a challenge. But it is our call as disciples of Christ to live into our calling as children of God and to be a part of the work of God in the world, and this involves our stewardship commitments.
Recommended reading: Powell, Mark Allan. Giving to God: The Bible's Good News about Living a Generous Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2006.
And so I ask why?
I think (and others do as well) that we struggle with this because we begin in the wrong place. We begin with the money (and for those of you that know me know I am the first to say that stewardship is about much, much more than money)and we get stuck. We get stuck because money becomes the tag by which we identify ourselves, by which we seek to become ourselves.
What if, just what if we seek to begin in another place? What if we were to begin in faith? In prayer? In thanksgiving to God who gifts us with all that we are and all that we have? What happens if we start in this place?
Well, first thing is we must admit our fear. Our fear that we no longer have full control. Our fear that we no longer are in our comfort zone or safe space. Our fear that we might feel this. And we should feel this. We should feel our giving - if not it is just casting off the left-overs, things, time, and money that we would have just thrown away anyway.
Many churches and people believe that we are commanded, no, rather required to give 10% of all that we have. And yes, biblically, 10% or a tithe is what is held up as an example, as a shooting point, but in a different way - as money that is given above and beyond the committed support of the local community.
We are called to give proportionately, as a commitment to our church or faith community. Proportionate giving is giving from ones means - meaning that those who don't make as much money should never be expected to give the same amount as someone who makes a lot of money; nor should a person in a unique situation (single parent with three kids, medical bills, caring for an elderly parent, etc...) be expected to give the same amount as a retired couple who are enjoying their golden years.
So as we plan our budgets, vote on our budgets, and determine our commitments for the upcoming year let us ask the question of ourselves and our communities - As a disciple of Christ, how am I called to support my congregation with my financial commitment in the coming year? Do I start with my church commitment, and then go from there? Am I giving enough that I feel it, that I notice it? Are there circumstances in my life that I need to pay attention to in order to be a good steward?
It can be scary. It is a challenge. But it is our call as disciples of Christ to live into our calling as children of God and to be a part of the work of God in the world, and this involves our stewardship commitments.
Recommended reading: Powell, Mark Allan. Giving to God: The Bible's Good News about Living a Generous Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans. 2006.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Some running questions....
I am doing some work on young adults, faith, and identity right now. In the midst of this work some questions have emerged that I think are interesting to ask ourselves. So here goes....
1. What matters more to you - good preaching or good music?
2. What matters more to you - good musical sound or strong theological lyrics?
3. What matters more to you - good theology or good community?
4. What matters more to you - focused mission or unlimited opportunities?
5. What matters more to you - openness of community or theological/biblical correctness?
These are great questions and in answering them I 'demanded' a one or the other answer (quite un-Lutheran I think) and it created some great conversation. Muddle around with them, let me know what you discover.
1. What matters more to you - good preaching or good music?
2. What matters more to you - good musical sound or strong theological lyrics?
3. What matters more to you - good theology or good community?
4. What matters more to you - focused mission or unlimited opportunities?
5. What matters more to you - openness of community or theological/biblical correctness?
These are great questions and in answering them I 'demanded' a one or the other answer (quite un-Lutheran I think) and it created some great conversation. Muddle around with them, let me know what you discover.
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