Practicing the Faith

I have been thinking about a number of things in the past couple of weeks. Believe me, there is little else one can do with a herniated disc. So, I have had some time to consider all of those things that I am missing or wishing I could do.

In the autumn of each year our synod has Mission Gatherings. They were originally conceived to be an opportunity to speak with congregation councils about mission support. Many years ago, the scope was expanded and the Mission Gathering would focus on a single theme each year. All interested members were encouraged to attend. In evaluating the events, we wondered in recent years if the usefulness of the Mission Gatherings had diminished.

The feedback we received regarding this year’s Synod Assembly Bible studies, which focused on discipleship and the faith practices of the church, was overwhelmingly positive. In light of this, Bishop Wollersheim proposed having Discipleship Gatherings this year to provide further opportunities for the people of the Northern Illinois Synod to learn about and discuss these faith practices.

There are many faith practices. We have chosen to emphasize seven identified as central by our church: pray, study, worship, invite, encourage, serve and give. In the Discipleship Gathering, Bishop Wollersheim gives an introductory talk on discipleship before the participants are dismissed to attend any two of seven breakout groups which focus on the practices, led by synod staff members and local leaders.

We have already had, and I have sadly missed, two of the eight scheduled Discipleship Gatherings. Attendance has been strong and participation has been good. It does not take too much reflection to see that we are hungry for more. Most folks I speak with are seeking to deepen their faith, but sense that opportunities to do so are limited.

Let me suggest a couple of things. Attend any one of the remaining Discipleship Gatherings. You are invited and welcome. You can find more information at http://nisynod.org/gatherings/index.html. If you are seeking a deeper educational experience, consider diakoniaTM. Take a look at http://www.thediakoniaprogram.org/ and http://www.nisynod.org/diakonia/.

To get even more folks involved, suggest that your congregation take a look at faith practices during Lent. It would be a great theme for a round-robin exchange. Congregations could work together to explore the faith practices. How about a conference series of men’s breakfasts focusing on discipleship? An adult class or small group could work on faith practices. People are hungry. They want to be disciples. What better place is there than the local congregation to learn how?

The synod has tried to build on what was introduced at the Synod Assembly. Perhaps your congregation can build on what we doing at the Discipleship Gatherings. Let us know how we can be helpful to you! Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. Pictured are two Discipleship Gathering breakout sessions in the North Conference. Pastor Troy Hedrick led a discussion of prayer as Pastor Brent Dahlseng facilitated the group on invitation/witness. --JC

Is This What Jesus Told You Guys to Do?

The issues I raised in “First Impressions” (both parts), are important hospitality issues, though they are relatively minor when compared to the issues raised in the book Jim & Casper Go to Church. The authors, Jim Henderson and Matt Casper, visited a number of very different Christian congregations, from traditional to emerging, small house church to megachurch. Their experiences and impressions made me stop and think a number of times. In fact, this book would be a good one for small group study. A free discussion guide is available online.

In the book, Jim Henderson writes, “As a Christian, I’ve often wondered how churches can use the same words, claim the same beliefs, and declare themselves to be totally committed to Christ and yet be so different in the values they present and the practices they undertake.” I think many of us have wondered exactly the same thing.

For example, leading up to September 11, one pastor in Florida captured the world’s attention, preaching a form of “Christianity” unlike our own. Our cable TV company provides us with four Christian networks. I never watch any of them because their teachings are those I cannot accept. In fact, I would consider some of the TV preachers to be dangerous in their stances toward the rest of the world and for the cause of world peace.

In the conclusion of the book, Matt Casper (the atheist) asks an incredibly important question of Jim (the Christian). “Jim, is this what Jesus told you guys to do?” Their exploration of the worship practices of these congregations had left him wondering.

I believe that everything we do in our congregations must be geared toward fulfilling the mission that Jesus gave us. For me, worship is the time for us to gather together, to hear, sing, praise and pray—to be strengthened, recommissioned and sent. On Sunday morning, the church (you and I) need to be challenged and presented with opportunities to give and serve. We need to be reminded that our mission lies outside of the building, focusing on others. You will recall what a wide definition Jesus had for “neighbor.”

What did Jesus tell us to do? Love one another. Go and make disciples. Seek justice. Being church is about what we do together. This is true of congregation, synod and ELCA. We have a God-given mission.

By the way, to the pastoral colleague who loaned me the book, thank you! I will see that the book gets back to you very soon.

Comments? Go to http://niselca.blogspot.com/. Facebook works too! --JC

First Impressions, Part 2

Once in a while, though not often, I have an opportunity to be an anonymous visitor. That means worshiping in a non-ELCA congregation in northern Illinois or in an ELCA congregation in another synod. I am easily reminded of how intimidating it can be to walk into a church with which you are not familiar. Here are some of my thoughts.

Many congregations seem to have trouble keeping their websites up-to-date. It is really important for worship times and calendars to be current. When I drive to an unfamiliar location, I always look for a sign that is visible from the street. Even with a GPS unit, I have to find the right driveway. Information on that sign needs to be correct too. Road marker signs are great, but they do need to be replaced once in a while. An old, faded or damaged sign doesn’t project a good image.

I have visited congregations with traffic-flow issues. It helped me a lot at one very large congregation to have someone in the parking lot, wearing one of those neon-green vests, directing me to a parking place. I have often wondered if our congregations should offer valet parking. It seems that it would be much easier for some elderly members to enter the building if they were able to drop their car at the door. As a guest preacher, I always arrive early for worship and am sometimes the first person to park in the parking lot. If there are no lines on the lot, I really do not know how or where to park. Don’t forget the need for special places for those with physical handicaps.

I like greeters. I think they should be stationed right at the outside door. In fact, they should be stationed at every door that one might use to enter the building. Church buildings are sometimes like mazes. I could use a friendly welcome and directions as soon as I get in the door. Signage inside the building is important too. After I’ve traveled a distance, my first question is always regarding the location of the men’s room. Signs eliminate my need to ask a lot of questions. How do I find restrooms, nursery, worship space, offices, Sunday coffee, Sunday school rooms? I have been impressed by congregations that use bilingual signs.

In leading worship, I have always welcomed “newcomers and guests.” I think that sounds better than “visitors.” Have you ever noticed that you are always a “guest” at Target and never a “customer”? As a newcomer, I like to be welcomed but hate to be publicly embarrassed. The congregation I referred to last week did a great job. The first-time attendees were given a small gift and information about the congregation. They were not forced to stand up, introduce themselves, or wear a button. I was free to remain anonymous if I wished. My wife and I once attended a worship service in Michigan where a woman welcomed us and then offered to sit with us to guide us through the service. We appreciated the gesture, refused her offer since we could navigate an LBW liturgy, but realized it would have helped when it came time for Holy Communion.

Some worship services are more visitor friendly than others. I appreciate announcements with page numbers, pauses to allow people to find their places, and bulletins that don’t have six inserts. I like senior citizens serving as acolytes and children serving as communion assistants. I like lectors who have practiced reading the lessons. I don’t mind being taught a new song or practicing a part of the liturgy. I like communion instructions to be clearly stated in the bulletin. I like seeing the mission statement of the congregation either displayed or in the bulletin. I like bulletins that use as little paper as possible. I like announcements rolling on a projection screen, if there is one. After worship, I like decaf coffee to be offered with the regular and someone who is willing to talk with me. I think these elements make for a better Sunday morning experience.

Comments? Go to the blog site, http://niselca.blogspot.com/ or comment on Facebook. There is a nice hospitality assessment tool on the ELCA website at http://archive.elca.org/evangelizingchurch/assessments/hospitality.html. --JC

First Impressions

I have a stack of books, actually a couple of stacks, waiting to be read. Some books, especially those in the leisure category, need to be dusted occasionally as they wait for my attention. A few days ago, my wife ran across a book that she did not recognize, so she added it to my pile of books.

The red cover caught my attention. So did the title. Jim & Casper Go to Church. I checked inside the front cover where I found the name of a pastoral colleague written. I am embarrassed to say that I do not remember when or where she loaned the book to me or the conversation that precipitated it. Just how long had this book been buried in my stuff?

The full title of the book is Jim & Casper Go to Church: Frank conversation about faith, churches, and well-meaning Christians, written by Jim Henderson and Matt Casper. Jim Henderson is a Christian with a Pentecostal background and Matt Casper is an atheist. Together they visit a number of Christian congregations and share their first impressions. It is a fun book to read and it helps to view the Sunday morning experience through the eyes of others.

This summer I had the opportunity to visit a Lutheran congregation in Chicago, to which I have no connections. I arrived early, having allowed ample time for my combination car, “L” train and bus trip. In the reception area, I asked for directions to the closest men’s room (it had been a long trip, efficient as it was). I was given the directions along with an invitation and further instructions on how to find the coffee fellowship.

I went to the fellowship area and found five people sitting at a round table. There was an empty chair so I asked the group if I could sit there, not having any particular desire to sit at one of the many empty tables. No one seemed to care much, one way or the other, so I sat. I listened. I remained silent through a few awkward periods of silence. I initiated conversation with open ended questions that all quickly died. Three people left, one fell asleep, and one joined the group. I was thankful when it was time for worship.

In worship, the congregation was friendly. When invited to share a greeting, those around me all offered a handshake and their first name. Later, the passing of the peace felt authentic. I did not identify myself as a visitor during the announcements because I did not know how to graciously refuse the coffee mug visitors were being given. (I was on my way to a baseball game and would never get the mug home safely).

I was surprised by two things in worship. The traditional worship service was done well, but it was not visitor friendly. This is a congregation that receives a fair number of newcomers and guests, so I would have expected more. This pastor, well-schooled in traditional worship, should not have had a tough time finding his place and keeping up when page numbers were not announced and instructions were not given.

I was also surprised by the temperature of the nave. It was a hot day and it was sticky hot inside the church. Literally. My shirt was stuck to the pew when I stood to go for communion. The church is not air conditioned and there are no windows to open. The heat made for a very uncomfortable worship experience. I hate to say that I believe air conditioning has become a necessity in many places.

What are the first impressions that your congregation make on newcomers?

To be continued…