If Jesus Were a Pastor Today, How Would He Respond?

Friday's rulings in the Supreme Court (06/26) to make same-sex marriage legal in all 50 states came as a shock for some and an answer to prayers for others.  Following Friday's ruling came, and continues to come, a barrage of reactions and responses--everything from elation to fear, boasting to shame, anxiety to relief, feelings of loss to feelings of victory, hate to compassion, from panic to hope.

In the midst of the roar, as a spiritual leader, I know it's part of my duty to lead my ministry and help others gain fruitful, kingdom-building, kingdom-preserving perspective on such situations.  Over the weekend, I chose to let my words be few and my heart be wide open to God's leadership--hoping to find a word or perspective that rose above the usual clamor.

Although admittedly cliche (I wore a bracelet with these letters on my wrist for 6 years), I was led to one simple question:  if Jesus were a pastor of a church today, how would HE respond (W.hat W.ould J.esus D.o)?  Although I'm not pretending to know exactly what words Jesus would use, a firm, unbiased grasp on how Jesus responded to similar controversies during His walk on earth gives us a helpful insight into what His response would look like.  This is what has been revealed to me:

If Jesus Were a Pastor of a Church Today, How Would He Respond?

Jesus would oppose and speak against the legalists and closed-minded of us in our communities who have fallen so deeply into fear and so deeply in love with maintaining the law of God that we have begun worshiping the law instead of God.  He would warn us about how far off from the kingdom we are and implore us to seek Him and the law of the Spirit.  Matthew 23:27-28 (whitewashed tombs), Matthew 15:12-14 (blind leading the blind), Matthew 23:23-24 (law opposed to mercy).

Jesus would also deeply caution those of us who believe we don't need to change, who want to hear and tell each other we are fine just the way we are.  He'd warn us that many of the things we are doing truly are threatening our relationships with God and destroying the very fabric of what holds us together as individuals, families, and communities of worthy character--even when we don't see the deeper, long-lasting affects of seemingly harmless choices.  John 4:7-31 (woman at the well), John 8:1-11 (woman in adultery), Matthew 19:16-24 (rich man wanting salvation), John 5:1-15 (lame man).

Jesus wouldn't choose a side and build up everyone on it while tearing down the other side until those on it changed.  Instead, Jesus would call out every one of us, inside and outside of the church, challenging all of us not to think we have it all figured out, are completely on the right path, or are the only persons without sin or blemishes (Matthew 7:13-14, Matthew 7:3-6).  He'd call each of us to a higher way of being and believing that rises far above our side, cause, agenda, convictions, or political parties to which we claim our allegiance and identity (Mark 3:1-6).  

Jesus would be a huge proponent and leader of extravagant and unconditional love of others, but he wouldn't hand out band-aid love just to cover up our pain and discomfort, just to help us feel better about ourselves.  Nor would he encourage us to hand out band-aid love to sooth our own discomforts or fears.  He'd also remind us that loving others is second to first loving God (Mark 12:28-34), and he'd challenge us to learn exactly what that means.  He'd welcome everyone into his presence and ministry, yet hold each of us accountable to our lives, reminding us that not one part of God's word has grown irrelevant and that no one's off the hook (Mark 13:31, Matthew 5:17-20), challenging us to look deeper when the words do seem outdated.  He'd profess daily that the true direction for our lives lies hidden not in the leadership of any pastor (Mark 10:17-18), talk-show host (Matthew 24:10-11, 24), athlete, self-help guru, or politician, but instead in the way of the Spirit that leads and gives words to chaos (John 3:5-12, Luke 12:11-12).

Jesus wouldn't step out and create a coup of the super-righteous, He wouldn't start building an army or a separate nation for purists, he wouldn't encourage His followers to disengage or shun non-followers or dissenters, nor would he call on heaven to destroy those who opposed his conviction that we must honor God before our own personal desires (Luke 9:51-56, Matthew 26:50-54, Matthew 13:24-30).  Instead, He'd reach out to those far different or far away.  He'd challenge his congregation to reach out to their enemies (Matthew 5:43-48).  He'd pour his entire life and encourage those around him to pour their entire lives into to leading people to rise above their fears and stubbornness and reach toward God as their highest pursuit.  He'd give everything for this pursuit, even to the point of his own persecution and death.  And to those of us whose hearts remain hardened, Jesus would weep for us, wishing it could be different, wishing we could seek in Him the peace we're desperately trying to find, and mourning the fate many of us have chosen for ourselves (Matthew 23:37, Luke 19:39-44).


Sometimes it hurts and is scary following Jesus.  Yet, Jesus is the one upon whom I choose to lay my life and lead my ministry.


More to come!


Jason <><

The Art of Exclusivity

We pride ourselves in this country, in our universities, and in many of our churches on being an all-inclusive, tolerant, multi-everything, society.  We challenge ourselves daily to open our minds, break down our barriers, and draw our circles wider.  Throughout our history, this has proven to be a challenging yet worthy task--one that, in regard to the "hate crime" enacted upon the EAMC community in Charleston, is still, and desperately, at hand.  The notion of inclusion and respect of all people has become a hallmark of the American way as we trudge forward to do the nearly impossible:  many under one nation.

Yet, while wishing to be sensitive to several hot topics before us today, I still wrestle with the extent of our inclusive behaviors.  Inclusivity to radical extents has the capacity to erode a group or thing's integrity and identity.  I have been in environments where inclusiveness was such a promoted value that when it came to say prayers in this community, the only words that seemed acceptable were those completely stripped of any specific mentions of any deity or faith.  In other words, the prayers amounted to mystical ambiguities and vague niceties.  There was little value in those prayers to anyone who identified with a particular tradition or faith practice.

While it may seem this is limited only to religious matters perhaps, we also see the need for exclusivity in our everyday experiences.

I love experimental cooking.  I'm at my best when I have only odds and ends to work with.  That's when the greatest creations come alive.  But as Sarah can tell you, I've learned some hard lessons along the way.  One being that not everything belongs in one dish.  It is not true that the more spices, the better.  Over time I've learned the art of not putting in certain things and choosing others.

There are several other instances where the art of exclusivity is essential:  deciding what to wear in the morning (otherwise we'd wear all clothes or sweaters in the summer), creating a winning sports team (tennis players may not help build a strong football team), getting from point A to B (we can take only one route at a time), keeping your children safe during the week (no, it's not okay to play in the street), and maintaining a healthy body (not all foods are good to eat, not all substances in the blood are welcome to the cells).  In all these examples, we are practicing the art of exclusivity--choose what is NOT included so we can support of choose what IS.

While the art of exclusivity is NEVER an excuse or proponent for hate, prejudice, or discrimination, the overly-abundant push toward "all things are good, welcome, and okay" may truly be the very corrosive that undermines our greatest efforts for good in the world.  Our tendencies toward all-inclusive lifestyles must still be held in tension with this crucial element of exclusivity.  Paul states this masterfully in his letter to the church in Corinth "'Everything is permissible'--but not everything is beneficial.  'Everything is permissible'--but not everything is constructive" (1 Cor 10:23).

So today, let us continue to love God, to love our neighbor, to love our enemy, and to have open hearts in regard to God's Spiritual movement in unexpected or typically unwelcomed areas.  But let us also learn the art of deep listening, of careful discernment, and intentional living that builds integrity, sharpens identities, and gives us clarity for freedom.


More to come!


Jason <><

Cultivating Gratitude!

Today's thought is simple:  Gratitude is happy to lead us to all the joy we can handle, but gratitude does not cultivate itself--it's desperately and solely up to us!

Yesterday in worship (6/14), I spent some time acknowledging many of the things in our world that could potentially send our hope into a runaway downward spiral.  The world's not sitting idly by while we go about in search of our personal satisfaction.  Our world is changing by the heartbeat.  

The counterbalance to change that often feels bewildering is gratitude.  It causes us to recall and acknowledge the things that allow change to be okay.  Often in my personal life, I don't take the time to be thankful, only to watch the blessings and adventures gently wash away with the ensuring rain.  

But today, as more rain comes, as United Methodist Pastors return from the Great Plains Annual Conference meeting, and as the rhythm of lives and ministries plow forward, I'm choosing to start the day and week off right!  

These are the new things I'm thankful for today!  I challenge you to make your own list this week, take your own pictures, and share with at least one person.

Sarah started her second week at Handprints and Footsteps this morning as a full-time Pediatric Physical Therapist, which means she not only graduated, but she passed her board and jurisprudence exams and is gainfully employed (all in one shot, all on the first time)!  It's nothing short of a miracle to see how much God has blessed her in her life and calling.  Now all we have to do is figure out this new rhythm of being in the same life-phase!

Anthony Belling, a former Horizons youth and recent graduate of New Tribes Bible Institute, joined Horizons for a 7-month internship last week!  He'll be working with college-aged and first career ministries.  We are already blown away by his energy, passion, and faith.

Ali Belling, also a former Horizons youth and married to Anthony, joined Horizons as our interim volunteer missions coordinator.  Ali has offered to help Horizons move forward in a more organized way to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  We're looking forward to Ali's leadership and heart for serving others!

In an effort to make the best use of the resources God has provided us, Sarah and I felt compelled to welcome Ali and Anthony into our home to live with us while they spend time at Horizons.  Although their ultimate trajectory takes them back to India to live as missionaries, they are with us now, and the joy of living in community and share our house has been huge! 

Sarah and I were asked if we'd be interested in cultivating a plot in the mission garden to help transition the soil from field dirt to garden soil.  We were made fully aware the produce may not be extremely prolific, but that we should see some fairly good results.  But because of the rain, the garden has really taken off!  Our spinach, radishes, and basil are on their way, and it's a cool feeling eating right out of the dirt from the labor of our own hands.  The amount of rain is dizzying; yet it does grow things.  For that I'm thankful!

The youth took off on their mission trip this morning to Missouri!  I'm excited for them and the work God will be doing with their hearts this week, and I'm thankful they are willing to go and have the opportunity.  Praise God!

I could go on, but I'll let that be enough.  Here's to gratitude, to joy, and to the reminder to cultivate it!  I'm excited to see your lists.

More to come!

Jason <><

The Art of Vacation!

Sarah and I returned from an 11 day vacation just last Monday (06/01) during which we traveled road-trip style to visit a second cousin outside of D.C. and then headed north to visit Sarah's great aunt and uncle in Carlisle, PA.

The trip was a true gift--our first longer break since Sarah started her Physical Therapy degree and I started at Horizons.  While it always takes some decompressing before the actual rest and fun begins, Sarah and I set up 2 rules for how we were to spend our time:

1. Don't do anything you don't want to do.
2. Don't allow yourself to feel guilty about not doing it. 

They are simple rules, but they were definitely impactful yet much easier to say than to live into.  Nevertheless, we did fairly well, finding a delicate balance of just kicking back and doing many of the things we didn't need to travel 1,300 miles each way to do (sleep, exercise, play games, read) and taking advantage of the attractions that could only be enjoyed by driving the distance (museums, battlefields, jazz concerts, etc.).

Time Magazine published a cover article (May 22nd, 2015) titled "Who Killed Summer Vacation?"  I know this because it was inadvertently laying on the table of my second cousin's table.  Among trends such as less paid time off being offered, one consistent influence on the amount of time taken off comes from the stress produced by being away.  Even if less vacation time is being offered to Americans, the other side of the coin is that fewer Americans are taking all the time off they are allotted each year.  

As I sat in the back of our canou, slowly coasting across a serene lake in the Michaux State Forest on our last day before making the two-day return trip home, I took a lazy measurement of my own anxiety.  Although it was still pretty low, I could feel the mild terror of returning ebbing.  How many e-mails will I have?  What emergencies will need to be addressed?  Will the lawn need to be mowed?  Will I actually have enough time to prepare the lesson I agreed to teach Thursday?  Will I still remember how to preach?  

It makes sense to me as Americans we're not taking all our vacation.  I can't say exactly why this trend has grown other than my guess that technology plays a crucial role (i.e.  e-mails are easy to send.  Twenty years ago there's now way I would've received 250 pieces of physical mail,).  At any rate, it seems that the stress, anxiety, and catch-up panic caused by being away often outweigh the joy of taking time off and being away.  

Thus, learning the art of vacationing is crucial.  In addition to completely disconnecting from the world and following the two simple rules from above, there are rules to the return process as well:

1. Express with your travel companions and dismiss and dismiss together the return anxieties as they come and insist on not getting crabby toward the end.
2. Don't let the vacation be over until it's over.
3. Set a pace once home.  Not EVERYTHING will get done or be put back to normal immediately.  Help yourself and others agree to and accept this. 
4. Schedule some mini-vacation moments later in the week rather than trying to prolong the inevitable and delaying the return to the office.  
5. Trust that even in regard to vacation time, God is faithful and will walk with you through your return and the mountain of tasks ahead (this has no specific pertinence to me being a pastor.  God has a real place in all work spaces) 

And so it's now the Monday after my initial week of being back.  I still have much to catch up on and and our annual United Methodist Conference is this week, leaving very little time once again.  In all reality, given the pace of my weeks following, I shouldn't have taken so much time off, or I should have taken it some other time.  Yet, if I lived into that mentality, I'd simply be contributing to the statistics in the Time article--no time's a good time for a vacation.

So here's to vacations, learning to take a step back from the race, and learning to step back into it with grace.

More to come!

Jason <><