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  • The Most Resilient of the Resilient

    In September of 2008, Galveston Island was inundated by Hurricane Ike.  Two and one-half feet of salt water (infused with who knows what else) covered our lot.

    The following spring, I was amazed at the resiliency of the trees, shrubs, grass, and other plants in our gardens.  I posted photographs on this blog of the blooming things as evidence.

    Then, last winter, we had a hard freeze in Galveston.  We had a hard freeze in Lawrence too, where I have been working.  The freeze in Galveston was not kind to the tropical and semi-tropical plants.  When I was in Galveston two months ago, I felt heartsick over the damage the freeze had done to our gardens.

    3017 and duranta Today, Gay and I pulled into the driveway in Galveston and were greeted by a happy sight.  Several of our  hibiscus plants, which had been cut back, have new growth from around the roots.  And, a duranta is blooming its heart out, as if it is the cheerleader for all the other plants.

    I'm amazed at the extent of resiliency of the plants in our gardens.  To paraphrase Jesus, if this is possible with the plant world, who knows what might be possible with human beings, with whom God has a very special relationship?

    When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
       the moon
    and the stars that you have established;

    what are
    human beings that you are mindful of them,
       mortals
    that you care for them?
    Yet you
    have made them a little lower than God,
       and
    crowned them with glory and honour.

    You have
    given them dominion over the works of your hands. 

                                                                        -Psalm 8:3-6a

    Human beings are the most resilient of the resilient!  Maybe you'd like to be a hibiscus or a duranta.  I'll take my chances as a human being any day.

    Ron

  • Exemplary Customer Service

    Last week, a Southwest Airlines representative provided me with exceptional customer service.  I wrote a letter to Mr. Gary Kelly, the airline's CEO, to let him know what a great job one of his employees is doing and to suggest that the employee be commended for his service.  I've attached the letter and am posting it on my blog because I think it is an example for all of us to remember when we are trying to serve others.

    Please read the
    Letter and share the story with others.

    Ron

  • Managing Polarities

    On Monday, I participated in a workshop on "Polarity Management" led by Pastor Roy
    Managing Ploarities Cover Oswald, co-author with Pastor Barry Johnson of Managing Polarities in Congregations: Eight Keys for Thriving Faith
    Communities    . In Monday's workshop, we explored the principles found in the book.

    A polarity is a pair of interdependent yet seemingly oppositional truths. When a conflict occurs around a polarity, Oswald and Johnson write, "both sides will be right, and they will need each other to experience the whole truth."  While problems can be solved and conflicts can be resolved, polarities are indestructible and must be managed.  These are important distinctions for Church leaders to make at every level, congregation, judicatory, denomination, and ecumenical.

    Oswald and Johnson devote a chapter to each of the following polarities:

    (1) Staying rooted in the faith's heritage while fostering creativity in faith life;

    (2) Nurturing mission while maintaining a healthy institution;

    (3) Creating a stable congregation but one that is able to embrace change;

    (4) Supporting clergy leadership while encouraging lay participation;

    (5) Responding to members' needs while simultaneously caring for others;

    (6) Manifesting God's unconditional love while challenging people to grow and to serve;

    (7) Making it easy to become a member while ensuring that membership has meaning;

    (8) Helping members fulfill their callings while ensuring that all tasks of congregational life and ministry are accomplished.

    The workshop, like the book, showed the positive and negative aspects of each pole, how to recognize when imbalance is occurring between them, and how to address and correct the imbalance.

    For those not currently experiencing conflict, polarity management can be a good prevention tool. For those in the midst of conflict around a polarity, it would help people recognize the legitimacy of both sides and create a more cooperative context for the ongoing dialogue and activity around the polarizing issue.

    Maybe if followers of Jesus Christ become better at managing the polarities within their communities, they can more effectively address polarities in the culture.

    Ron

  • When it really matters, we discipline ourselves.

    When something really matters, we discipline ourselves to take care of it.

    • In relationships that matter, we make time for others, stay in touch, remember birthdays, give gifts.
    • In work that matters, we arrive on time, do our best, take pride in the product or service, maintain loyalty.
    • In regard to the environment, we conserve natural resources, refrain from polluting, use recycled materials.
    • In regard to family, we show up for meals, we contribute, we encourage each other, we protect, we provide, we help each other grow physically, spiritually, and intellectually.
    • In athletic competition, we wear team logos and apparel, attend games, tune in for broadcasts, cheer without restraint, and, if we're on the team, we show up for practice, train, and do our part for the team.
    • In regard to our health, we maintain an exercise routine, get plenty of rest, avoid foods and other substances that are harmful, have regular checkups.

    Why are we willing to discipline ourselves?  Because these things matter and we are human beings.  Humans have this amazing ability to take care of what's important.  Christians call it "stewardship."  We believe we were given this ability by our Creator in the very beginning.

    It is often easy to discipline ourselves.  But sometimes it is difficult.  When we experience the difficulty, it is an opportunity to fully engage the gift of stewardship that other creatures do not have.  Other creatures are limited mostly by instinct and conditioning.  Humans are not.  Humans have the ability to create something new, to act with purpose, to agree or disagree, to decide how to respond, to have complex two-way communication with each other and with the Creator.  To be "only human" is to be the crowning glory of God's creation!  To be "only human" is to be a member of the only race that has the vocation and privilege of stewardship.

    I recently officiated at the funeral of a gentleman from our church.  He was a top-flight accountant, churchman, family man, and community leader throughout his long life.  On the way home from the cemetery, his family shared a photocopy of a card they found in his wallet.  The card contained this prayer:

    O Heavenly Father, who by Thy Son Jesus Christ hast taught us that all our possessions are a trust from Thee: Help me to be a faithful steward of my time, my talents, and my wealth, and gladly consecrate to Thy service all that Thou hast given me; and may I have grace to give myself to Thee.  Through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    By this prayer, this man disciplined himself to be not just a steward, but a faithful one.

    Let us take inventory of all that has been entrusted to us, especially those things that matter most.  Then, let us ask God to help us be disciplined in how generously and faithfully we take care of this sacred trust.

    Ron

  • For the sake of creation, as we pray, let us so live.

    The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico threatens life, property, commerce, and occupations along the Gulf Coast.  It is a tragedy of phenomenal proportions and it will be years or perhaps even lifetimes before the damage is behind us. 

    There is plenty of blame to go around and there are plenty of people to do the blaming.  Many of us, our families and friends, are directly affected by the spill.  My own wife teaches the children of people who are employed by BP.  Some of us are in strategic positions of leadership to influence decisions about the cleanup of this spill and the future of offshore drilling.

    Whatever our opportunity to make a difference may be, Christians everywhere are concerned for the protection of living creatures and ecosystems that are affected by this disaster.  As stewards of creation, all of us are called to pray about this situation.  We are in need of divine guidance so that our actions will match our prayers.  During the last couple of weeks, I have been led to several prayers in the Book of Common Prayer.  I share them with you in hopes they will help you as they have helped me.

    For fruitful seasons

    Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: We humbly pray
    that your gracious providence may give and preserve to our
    use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper
    all who labor to gather them, that we, who are constantly
    receiving good things from your hand, may always give you
    thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
    with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

    For stewardship of creation

    O merciful Creator, your hand is open wide to satisfy the
    needs of every living creature: Make us always thankful for
    your loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the
    account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards
    of your good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with
    you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever
    and ever.  Amen.

    For Knowledge of God’s Creation

    Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with
    all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and
    the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we
    probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know
    you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your
    eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    For the Conservation of Natural Resources

    Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth,
    you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom
    and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one
    may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet
    to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through
    Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.
     
    For the Harvest of Lands and Waters

    O gracious Father, who openest thine hand and fillest all
    things living with plenteousness:  Bless the lands and waters,
    and multiply the harvests of the world; let thy Spirit go
    forth, that it may renew the face of the earth; show thy
    loving kindness, that our land may give her increase; and
    save us from selfish use of what thou givest, that men and
    women everywhere may give thee thanks; through Christ
    our Lord.  Amen.

    For the Future of the Human Race

    O God our heavenly Father, you have blessed us and given us
    dominion over all the earth: Increase our reverence before
    the mystery of life; and give us new insight into your purposes
    for the human race, and new wisdom and determination in
    making provision for its future in accordance with your will;
    through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    And, finally, there is a very special prayer composed by my colleague and dear friend, The Rev. Lillian W. Hyde, Rector of St. George's Episcopal Church in Texas City, Texas. Several of her parishioners and many of their neighbors work at the nearby BP Refinery.

    Eternal God, we pray for the protection and preservation
    of the Gulf of Mexico and the lands and waters it touches.
    Guide those who labor to contain the oil; strengthen those
    who work to protect land and creatures; have mercy on those
    whose livelihoods will suffer; forgive us for our carelessness,
    and give us wisdom to be good stewards of creation, so that
    generations yet to come may praise you for your bounty. Amen

    For the sake of creation, as we pray, let us so live!

    RDP Short Sig

     

    P.S.  The Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church was an oceanographer before she was ordained.  Here is an important message from her regarding the oil spill and our connectedness.


  • Ember Days

    Ordination In the Episcopal Church, we observe Ember Days four times a year primarily by offering   prayers for the ministry.  Those who are preparing for Holy Orders in this Church  customarily write "Ember Day Letters" to their bishops.

    The name for the observance may come from the Anglo-Saxon ymb-ren – a circuit or revolution; something that recurs. Or, it may come from the German quatember, a corruption of the Latin quatuor tempora – "Four Times."

    Ordination 2 The observances are always on the Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of the weeks following St. Lucy's Day (December 13), The First Sunday in Lent, Pentecost, and Holy Cross Day (September 14).  These times are almost equidistant in the circuit of the year.  Prior to Christianity, they appear to have originally been times of prayer and fasting originally related to the agricultural cycle.  Some believed that the weather on each of the three days predicted the weather in each of the following three months.  Excellent articles about Ember Days may be found on Episcopal Cafe and Wikipedia.

    In any event, we are invited to pray at this time for those to be ordained, for the choice of fit persons for the ministry, and for all Christians in their vocation.  The prayers which follow are from The Book of Common Prayer and are especially appropriate for use on Ember Days.

    I. For those to be ordained

    Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, in your divine providence you have appointed various orders in your Church: Give your grace, we humbly pray, to all who are [now] called to any office and ministry for your people; and so fill them with the truth of your doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before you, to the glory of your great Name and for the benefit of your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

    II. For the choice of fit persons for the ministry

    O God, you led your holy apostles to ordain ministers in every place: Grant that your Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may choose suitable persons for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and may uphold them in their work for the extension of your kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

    III. For all Christians in their vocation

    Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

    Ron

  • Go Red

    Many churches encourage members to wear red on Pentecost, the Sunday when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church.  In Christian symbolism, the color red is associated with the fire of the Holy Spirit and the blood of the Holy Martyrs.  A congregation dressed in red is always a sight to behold from the Altar on the Day of Pentecost.

    Reminding my parishioners to wear red each year prompts me to remind women to be aware of the Go Red Campaign, which is focused on women's heart health.  Cardiovascular disease is the nation's number one killer of women.

    Go-red-for-women One of our church members recently had a heart attack while driving. She was unconscious and struck another vehicle. The impact caused her seatbelt to restrain her and, at the same time, restart her heart. Her life was spared.

    She told her story to the Lawrence Journal World.  I invite you to watch the video and then take the time to learn more.  This is vitally important for all women and for all the women in your life.

    Ron

  • Reflections on Ascension Day

    I'm in a highly theological mood today as I meditate on the significance of the Ascension of our Savior Jesus Christ.

    It occurs to me that the Nativity and the Ascension are bookends.  The bodily ascension of Jesus Christ, God Incarnate, completes what was begun in his Nativity.  God became as we are so that we might become as God is.  An Orthodox hymn says, "Today has God come down to earth, and man gone
    up to heaven."

    The Incarnation, in its fullness, is God's supreme act of deliverance, which restores us to communion with God.  But more is happening here than fixing something that was broken.  Humanity is also advanced to a new level.  There is a new creation! 

    In Jesus Christ, fully human and fully divine, we are able to see the possibilities of human nature and the implications of personhood, lived in the image and likeness of God.  We are not only saved from our sins, we are saved for that
    life – eternal life, the life God lives.

    Medieval theologians made a distinction between the image and likeness of God. The former referred to a natural, innate resemblance to God and the latter referred to the moral attributes that were lost in the fall.  In the Incarnation, those moral attributes are realized in the first perfect human, Jesus Christ. His earthly ministry is the beginning of a new creation and we are the beneficiaries.  "For as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ" (I Cor. 15:22).

    The saving work of the Incarnate One, including his being taken bodily into the heavenly realm, is more than a reversal of the fall and restoration of our original state of innocence. Joined to him in Baptism, we live his life as new creatures through whom God's will may be done "on earth as it is in heaven." 

         Thou hast raised our human nature on the clouds to God's right hand:
            there we sit in heavenly places, there with thee in glory stand. 
         Jesus reigns, adored by angels; Man with God is on the throne;
            mighty Lord, in thine ascension we by faith behold our own.

            Christopher Wordsworth (1807-1884)


    Ron




    P.S.  You may have difficulty accepting the Ascension as an historical
    event.  It does sound far-fetched in light of scientific knowledge. 
    However, recent advances in scientific knowledge have caused us to think of
    matter and energy in different terms. For example, new science tells us that our bodies are made up of the
    dust and ashes of stars that burned out billions of years ago.  If that is the case, the Incarnation and all the mysteries associated with it may not seem so far-fetched after all.

  • More on Raising the Profile of the Episcopal Church

    On April 22, I published an article in which I provided several ideas for raising the profile of The Episcopal Church.  I was thinking that it's not only about raising the profile, it's also about how the profile impacts people.  Is it positive or negative?  For what will The Episcopal Church be known on the community grapevine?

    Then, on Saturday night, May 1, I decided to practice what I was preaching.  I decided to launch a facebook fan page called "Unapologetically Episcopalian."  It is a gathering place to celebrate the many positive ways Episcopalians in 16 nations are spreading the Gospel of Christ.

    In four and one-half days, over three thousand people have subscribed.  I am amazed but, to be honest, not entirely surprised by the response.  During the last three years, I've had opportunities to communicate with Episcopalians of all walks of life and all kinds of places.  The one theme I have heard more than any other is that people on the extreme ends of the spectrum seem to have control of the public image of The Episcopal Church and the vast, vital, moderate center has experienced difficulty in finding its "voice."  Like many of them, I have dear friends and colleagues on both ends of the spectrum.  Whether I agree completely with their views or not, I respect them and desire to walk with them "in love as Christ loved us."

    It is not that The Episcopal Church doesn't have a public profile.  We do.  However, for a number of years it has been out of balance.  Many Episcopalians have felt they needed to apologize for their Church because our internal conflicts and many angry voices have been the topic of the community grapevine.  It seems to me that it's time for the public profile to change.  It needs to change at every level, but especially at the local level where most of the day-to-day mission is being carried out.

    • When people in Lawrence, Kansas think of The Episcopal Church, we'd like them to think of the Trinity Interfaith Food Pantry, the BackSnack program, and the outstanding music ministry, all of which we share generously with our neighbors.
    • When people in City Island, Bronx, NY think of The Episcopal Church, will they think of the Healthy Aging Program at Grace Church?
    • When people in Raliegh, NC think of the Episcopal Church, we want them to remember that St. Mark's Church there has an AIDS Care Team.
    • When people in Tuscaloosa, AL think of The Episcopal Church, maybe they'll be aware of the Arts and Autism after school program they sponsor.
    • When people in Kansas City, MO think of the Episcopal Church, they'll think of the St. Luke's Hospital system with 11 hospitals and a hospice program, or, maybe they'll remember that St. Paul's Church just across the state line in the Diocese of Kansas, has a remarkable ministry of feeding the hungry.
    • Maybe all of those Episcopalians who have found their spiritual home in this Church will be salt, light, and leaven in their communities in ways that make a difference.

    While we are attempting to work through our differences in this Church, God's mission and our ministries continue on a daily basis.  The stories and experiences of ALL sorts and conditions of Episcopalians who are rolling up their sleeves and transforming lives need to find greater expression and form more of the public profile of our Church.  Episcopalians who are trying to find ways to accomplish Christ's work need to hear from other Episcopalians who've discovered solutions.  We need to "rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep" without the angst that comes from protracted, polarizing conflict.  Unapologetically Episcopalian provides a place for that to happen.

    I am not suggesting that our issues and the convictions of our members are not important.  They are important.  What I am suggesting is that the rest of the world is watching closely to see how we treat one another as we work through those differences.  Jesus told his disciples that our love for one another, not our differences, is what will let everyone know that we are his disciples.

    So, I thought it would be a helpful thing to let the spotlight be on the love of Christ at work among us.

    Unapologetically button 1

    Click the Pic to connect with the Unapologetically Episcopalian facebook page.  I invite you to take part!

    Ron

  • Do you have a corporate relationship with God?

    Theologian Michael Battle recently lectured at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Mission, Kansas.  He spoke to us of growing up in a culture where he often heard the question, "Do you have personal relationship with Jesus Christ?"  In reflecting on that question, he said that an equally important a even more biblically significant question is, "Do you have a corporate relationship with Jesus Christ?"

    In our post-Modern age when we are beginning to shed some of the enlightenment emphasis on the individual, this is a "word in due season."

    I was reminded of the importance of our corporate relationship with Jesus Christ last Sunday when Bishop Wolfe spoke to the vestry about his concern over the decline in worship attendance in the Diocese of Kansas and across the Church.  His concerns resonate with my own!  Let me share five reasons why.

    •  The first three Commandments tell us to love and obey God and to bring others to know him; to put nothing in the place of God; and to show God respect in thought, word, and deed.

    •  Jesus' summary of the Law tells us to Love God with all our heart, mind, and soul.

    •  Together, we have entered into and repeatedly reaffirmed our covenant relationship with God in Christ.  The Baptismal promises we make for ourselves and on behalf of our children involve the promise to "continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers."

    •  Our Catechism teaches us that "The duty of all Christians is to follow Christ; to come together week by week for corporate worship; and to work, pray, and give for the spread of the kingdom of God."

    •  Christianity is meant to be shared.  It is a corporate faith and corporate worship is our duty, our joy, and our opportunity to know God in the company of God's covenant people.  When we gather for worship we are formed spiritually into Christ's body, nourished with God's grace in Word and Sacrament, and sent back into the world in God's mission  "to represent Christ and his Church" and to "bear witness to him wherever we may be."  There are many ways to know, love, and serve God.  Worship is the first of these ways and, in God's administrative policy, it is not optional.  It is who we are and how we live.

    So, let us heed the exhortation of the Letter to the Hebrews:  "And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." – Hebrews 10:24-25.

    I'll see you in Church!

    RDP Short Sig