On Saturday, I set out on motorcycle to find Jerusalem.
Jerusalem Michigan, that is.
My itinerary was:
Jerusalem Michigan, that is.
My itinerary was:
From: Joliet, IL
To Concord, MI, 225 miles
To Moscow, MI, 14.8 miles
To Jackson, MI, 22.5 miles
To Jerusalem, MI, 24.7 miles
To Hell, MI, 16.5 miles
To Lansing, MI, 46.0 miles
To Charlotte, MI, 23.1 miles
To Nashville, MI, 15.8 miles
To Augusta, MI, 31.0 miles
To Hartford, MI, 46.6 miles
To Joliet, IL 135 miles
(that's about 601 miles total)
Continue reading Finding Jerusalem - A Motorcycle Adventure in Michigan.
A post on a denomination forum asked "Why do [people in this denomination] become clergy?"
I can't link to the post, because it disappeared within hours of being posted.
I'm hoping it was withdrawn by the person who posted it, rather than censored by the people who run the denomination's website, because the person made some good points which raise difficult questions.
The person linked to an NPR story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128957149 and said clergy burnout sounded awful and lonely, and that pastoral ministry seemed very difficult. The person went on to mention self-harm, abusive clergy and lay people.
Then this question was posed:
No one has told me yet, and I'm halfway through my MDiv program. Yet I have some idea, having seen the ways people can act. The church is made up of humans the same as th rest of society, and one only need read the epistles to see that the early church struggled with human issues as well.
As to why people go to seminary, why they feel called to pastoral ministry - I really believe it can be a God thing. We're not better, or smarter, or more holy than others. I hope we're not looking for power. Instead, I think it's a burden on the hearts of some people. Just as some will look at the homeless and feel moved to help, or look at the injured and feel moved to heal, those of us called to this ministry are moved to serve congregations - because the congregations need to be served.
In the parable, the Samaritan was moved to help the man beaten and left by the side of the road. In some interpretations, his guts were wrenched. When people are that moved to do something, it's a calling.
People are called to all sorts of things. There are people who risk their lives in the military, police, and fire fighting. There are people who work tirelessly for peace. There are people who work hard at building things, or answering phones, or writing.
Why do people go to seminary? Because it's a burden on our hearts that will not go away. It's a love for the people who need us. And - I believe - it is who God dreamed us to be.
I can't link to the post, because it disappeared within hours of being posted.
I'm hoping it was withdrawn by the person who posted it, rather than censored by the people who run the denomination's website, because the person made some good points which raise difficult questions.
The person linked to an NPR story: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128957149 and said clergy burnout sounded awful and lonely, and that pastoral ministry seemed very difficult. The person went on to mention self-harm, abusive clergy and lay people.
Then this question was posed:
Do people tell seminarians "what's ahead" for this type of job?That's a good point. No one should go into ministry without knowledge of what will be asked.
No one has told me yet, and I'm halfway through my MDiv program. Yet I have some idea, having seen the ways people can act. The church is made up of humans the same as th rest of society, and one only need read the epistles to see that the early church struggled with human issues as well.
As to why people go to seminary, why they feel called to pastoral ministry - I really believe it can be a God thing. We're not better, or smarter, or more holy than others. I hope we're not looking for power. Instead, I think it's a burden on the hearts of some people. Just as some will look at the homeless and feel moved to help, or look at the injured and feel moved to heal, those of us called to this ministry are moved to serve congregations - because the congregations need to be served.
In the parable, the Samaritan was moved to help the man beaten and left by the side of the road. In some interpretations, his guts were wrenched. When people are that moved to do something, it's a calling.
People are called to all sorts of things. There are people who risk their lives in the military, police, and fire fighting. There are people who work tirelessly for peace. There are people who work hard at building things, or answering phones, or writing.
Why do people go to seminary? Because it's a burden on our hearts that will not go away. It's a love for the people who need us. And - I believe - it is who God dreamed us to be.
I was worshiping with a fairly progressive congregation and the pastor was preaching on the great commandment and the second one like it (Matthew 22, Luke 10).
He asked "How do we love God?" I was surprised at the answers.
People offered "giving to charity", "working for justice", "volunteering", and "mission work".
Of course, this left little for the second question: "How do we love our neighbors?"
Now, in the Evangelical church where I grew up, the first question would be answered with "study the Bible", "obey God's law", "do not sin", "pray", and "go to church". And that got me thinking:
As much as some progressives call out Evangelical, conservative, orthodox, and traditional Christians on being legalistic, moralistic, and failing to love their neighbors, I wonder whether the log in the eyes of those of us who are progressive is a lack of a relationship to God as a person.
During the sermon mentioned at the top of this note, I thought of prayer, praise music, worship as a whole.
How do you love God?
If you're reading this on Facebook, myUCC, or other space, I invite you to come to Trans-Cendental to continue the discussion,
He asked "How do we love God?" I was surprised at the answers.
People offered "giving to charity", "working for justice", "volunteering", and "mission work".
Of course, this left little for the second question: "How do we love our neighbors?"
Now, in the Evangelical church where I grew up, the first question would be answered with "study the Bible", "obey God's law", "do not sin", "pray", and "go to church". And that got me thinking:
As much as some progressives call out Evangelical, conservative, orthodox, and traditional Christians on being legalistic, moralistic, and failing to love their neighbors, I wonder whether the log in the eyes of those of us who are progressive is a lack of a relationship to God as a person.
During the sermon mentioned at the top of this note, I thought of prayer, praise music, worship as a whole.
How do you love God?
If you're reading this on Facebook, myUCC, or other space, I invite you to come to Trans-Cendental to continue the discussion,
Year C, Third Sunday after Pentecost.
Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-21a, 2 Samuel 11:26-12:15
Those of you who are liturgically inclined may know that we're in "the season after Pentecost". This, and the season after Epiphany, are considered "ordinary time". "Ordinary time" just means we're not in a special fast or feast time like Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter.
The lectionary is a set of readings on a three year cycle. Many churches use the lectionary to determine what scripture will be read each week; some, like Hope, don't always follow the lectionary.
In ordinary time, the lectionary ordinarily provides two sets of old testament readings: one that follows the scripture in the order it appears in the Bible, and another that chooses readings based on harmony with the new testament theme.
Ordinarily, only one old testament reading is used.
Ordinarily, the two old testament choices do not line up.
But this is no ordinary church, we are no ordinary people, and this is no ordinary set of readings.
Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-21a, 2 Samuel 11:26-12:15
Those of you who are liturgically inclined may know that we're in "the season after Pentecost". This, and the season after Epiphany, are considered "ordinary time". "Ordinary time" just means we're not in a special fast or feast time like Advent, Christmas, Lent, or Easter.
The lectionary is a set of readings on a three year cycle. Many churches use the lectionary to determine what scripture will be read each week; some, like Hope, don't always follow the lectionary.
In ordinary time, the lectionary ordinarily provides two sets of old testament readings: one that follows the scripture in the order it appears in the Bible, and another that chooses readings based on harmony with the new testament theme.
Ordinarily, only one old testament reading is used.
Ordinarily, the two old testament choices do not line up.
But this is no ordinary church, we are no ordinary people, and this is no ordinary set of readings.
Continue reading I Want That.
This has been rattling around my brain for weeks, so I'm writing it down so my brain will get some peace and quiet.
How could the Flash Mob phenomenon be adapted to worship? Could large numbers of people be summoned by text, twitter, and Facebook to an impromptu service? Could we have spontaneous church appear where ever and whenever?
How could the Flash Mob phenomenon be adapted to worship? Could large numbers of people be summoned by text, twitter, and Facebook to an impromptu service? Could we have spontaneous church appear where ever and whenever?
Executive summary: There isn't one.
My work was about me--Buck Angel--not me being the poster boy for the transman community - Porn Star Buck Angel This link contains nudity
More of us who speak publicly should be making this clear.
More of us - trans or not - should recognize this.
I bristle every time I hear a so-called expert say "One of the things I learned about being trans is that we..." Example: Our class was encouraged by a professor to attend a lecture by a transgender speaker. She pointed out that she learned (after her transition in 24 hours) that women always step out of the paths of men, and she had to learn to do that as a woman. I just stared in astonishment, because I used to step out of everyone's way as male but don't do so as much anymore as female (maybe it's just my change in confidence, or being comfortable in my skin). She spent about five minutes on this important point. I wonder how many came away from that lecture with this new-found wisdom about men, women, and transgender people.
My cortisol level also rises whenever I have someone correct me on my experience because "Kate Bornstein says" or "Les Feinberg says". They have their experiences. They are outspoken. They do a lot of good for the community. My experience has points that coincide with their experiences. But people have to recognize that Kate Bornstein and Les Feinberg are not every transgender person. Elton John and Ellen Degeneres are not every gay and lesbian person. For God's sake, Dick Cheney and Ann Coulter are not every heterosexual person.
The transgender experience has far too much variance for any one person's experience to be taken as normative. I think this needs to be said early and often.
I originally posted this on Pam's House Blend
So we now have several states where we can get married.
It's time we start thinking about how to have good, healthy same-sex marriages.
I am no expert, but my partner and I (we've had a Holy Union and are hoping to take an out-of-state nuptial trip next year) have been together for over two decades. I'm going to share what we've learned, and hope some others will share as well.
Progressive churches need to build up support for all families, not just the most common constructions.
(More after the page break. If you're reading this on a mirrored site like community.ucc.org or facebook.com, click the title to see the rest)
So we now have several states where we can get married.
It's time we start thinking about how to have good, healthy same-sex marriages.
I am no expert, but my partner and I (we've had a Holy Union and are hoping to take an out-of-state nuptial trip next year) have been together for over two decades. I'm going to share what we've learned, and hope some others will share as well.
Progressive churches need to build up support for all families, not just the most common constructions.
(More after the page break. If you're reading this on a mirrored site like community.ucc.org or facebook.com, click the title to see the rest)
Continue reading Tips for a happy, life-long same-sex marriage.
Thanks for the birth
And the feeding, and bathing, and changing
And the teaching, and loving
And the worry about my transition
And the eventual acceptance of who I am
And the worry about who I loved
And the acceptance of her into the family
And the worry about my future in the church
I know it is all because you love and care for me.
I love you, Mom.
And the feeding, and bathing, and changing
And the teaching, and loving
And the worry about my transition
And the eventual acceptance of who I am
And the worry about who I loved
And the acceptance of her into the family
And the worry about my future in the church
I know it is all because you love and care for me.
I love you, Mom.
I'm rarely this eloquent, but every once in a while I accidentally say something I feel is worth repeating. The following is from a post I made on a United Church of Christ discussion board:
True, marriage is a legal term in the United States of America, and clergy cannot legally say they are marrying two people unless the state authorizes it. But Adam and Eve, and Cain and his wife, and Seth and his wife, were all married without church or state.
Neither the church, nor state, can prohibit marriage between two people. All they can do is fail to recognize when it happens.
Marriage isn't a piece of paper issued by the government. That paper is legal recognition of a marriage.
Marriage isn't a piece of paper signed by a pastor and/or issued by a church. That paper is a religious recognition of a marriage.
Marriage is a covenant between two adult people to care for, nurture, and love each other. Alone, this is still marriage. Without this, no piece of paper can hold two people together.
True, marriage is a legal term in the United States of America, and clergy cannot legally say they are marrying two people unless the state authorizes it. But Adam and Eve, and Cain and his wife, and Seth and his wife, were all married without church or state.
Neither the church, nor state, can prohibit marriage between two people. All they can do is fail to recognize when it happens.
Julie Holm has an excellent article on how going to seminary is ministry.
It was after being recommended for in care that I was asked to be on the leadership group (of 3) that supported 40 ministry teams. I was the only nominee for the vacant position. I was already serving on a number of our church's ~90 ministry teams. Churches have few people willing to take leadership roles (the 80/20 or 90/10 rule: 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people). Those few who will are expected to, because the alternative is empty leadership positions.
Financial support of seminarians is an interesting issue. The two congregations I've been with both struggle to pay their staff - one pays a full time pastor plus part time staff positions: youth minister, music minister, accompanist, facilities manager, church secretary, and cleaning staff. The other pays only a pastor (full time) and part time accompanist. There's no money left to try to help someone through seminary (despite what the MoM may say).
And why should they? It's not like they'll be the beneficiaries of the education. The seminarian will likely go pastor some other church or do some other ministry. Why give money to help someone else's ministry, especially when our own ministries are struggling?
Perhaps the fundamental problem is that, for many, the church has been relegated to an hour on Sunday morning. For some, this is clarified to "on days when none of the kids has an activity like skating or baseball Sunday morning and when we weren't out too late Saturday night" (I know a paid minister who has to skip even some large celebrations - read Christmas - due to conflicts with primary job, secondary job, and kids).
It should be no surprise that paid ministers, seminarians, and lay leaders are burning out. While 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people, the other 80% of the people are expecting more.
I don't have an answer to this problem.
It was after being recommended for in care that I was asked to be on the leadership group (of 3) that supported 40 ministry teams. I was the only nominee for the vacant position. I was already serving on a number of our church's ~90 ministry teams. Churches have few people willing to take leadership roles (the 80/20 or 90/10 rule: 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people). Those few who will are expected to, because the alternative is empty leadership positions.
Financial support of seminarians is an interesting issue. The two congregations I've been with both struggle to pay their staff - one pays a full time pastor plus part time staff positions: youth minister, music minister, accompanist, facilities manager, church secretary, and cleaning staff. The other pays only a pastor (full time) and part time accompanist. There's no money left to try to help someone through seminary (despite what the MoM may say).
And why should they? It's not like they'll be the beneficiaries of the education. The seminarian will likely go pastor some other church or do some other ministry. Why give money to help someone else's ministry, especially when our own ministries are struggling?
Perhaps the fundamental problem is that, for many, the church has been relegated to an hour on Sunday morning. For some, this is clarified to "on days when none of the kids has an activity like skating or baseball Sunday morning and when we weren't out too late Saturday night" (I know a paid minister who has to skip even some large celebrations - read Christmas - due to conflicts with primary job, secondary job, and kids).
It should be no surprise that paid ministers, seminarians, and lay leaders are burning out. While 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people, the other 80% of the people are expecting more.
I don't have an answer to this problem.
