Faith Lens

Brian Hiortdahl, West Hills, CA

Warm-up Question

When has your heart wanted something your head decided you could not afford?

Count the Cost

In her 2018 article “Fewer Ministers, Heavier Burden,” Jean Hopfensberger chronicles the changing landscape of church leadership:

www.startribune.com/fewer-men-and-women-are-entering-the-seminary/490381681/

Among the multiple reasons identified for the growing shortage of seminarians and clergy is the challenge of financial viability. One experienced Lutheran camp director has identified this as the primary reason that the young adults with whom he works are deciding not to enter the ministry. He observes that there has been no decrease in the number of those who consider or feel a call to ministry, but more and more conclude that there is no viable future in it.

Discussion Questions

Have you or your community felt any impact of the trends identified in the article? If so, how?
What changes do you anticipate in the church in your lifetime if this trend continues? Do you think these changes are positive or negative or both?
Would you consider ministry as a career? Why or why not?

Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Philemon 1-21

Luke 14:25-33

(Text links are to Oremus Bible Browser. Oremus Bible Browser is not affiliated with or supported by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. You can find the calendar of readings for Year C at Lectionary Readings

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Jesus has harsh, jarring words for the crowds traveling with him (notice that Luke does not write “following” him!): Whoever does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself cannot become my disciple. Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple… None of you can become my disciples if you do not give up all your possessions.

In the midst of these shocking statements, Jesus makes analogies to a builder and a king who must first sit down and estimate the cost of the projects they are considering. What if they can’t start what they finish? If they conclude that there is no viable future in their plans, wouldn’t they be foolish to go through with them?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer famously wrote in his classic book The Cost of Discipleship: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” (This is dated language; it applies to the ladies too.) The Greek phrase for all your possessions can also be translated all that you have, which underlines Bonhoeffer’s point. Following Jesus puts everything else at risk. Jesus illustrates this by claiming priority over the most important things in our lives: family, survival, all that we have.

Being a disciple is not the same as being a pastor, which is only one of many ways that disciples might be called to serve. But the sacrifices many pastors make can offer a window into how costly following Jesus can sometimes be. True discipleship demands total commitment. For most of us, and I strongly suspect at some point for all of us, the price is too high.

So what is the good news? As usual, it is not found in our accomplishments, but in God’s. In order to make peace with us, God pays the outrageous price of sending Jesus, who speaks these hard words on his journey to Jerusalem. Even his closest, most faithful disciples, who left their homes to follow him (Luke 18:28), fall away. Yet he still follows through—all the way to the cross. There, abandoned by his family, Jesus gives away all that he has, just like the foolish looking father in the parable he will tell next (Luke 15:11-32). There he loses everything, like the son in the same story, whose father welcomes him home in an impossible celebration that still continues, forever in heaven and around church altars every Sunday.

There is no “viable future” in following Jesus. There is resurrection.

Discussion Questions

What is most important to you? If Jesus asked you to give it up, would you be able to do so?
Have you ever sacrificed something important for something more important?
Are pastors expected to make bigger sacrifices than others? Should they be?
What is the difference between carrying a cross and bearing an unfair burden?
Name a disciple you admire. What has their faithfulness cost them? Was it worth it?

Activity Suggestions

Interview a seminarian or a pastor. Why are they making a career in ministry? How did God call them? What unique joys and challenges do they experience? Finish by praying for her or him.
Imagine an enormous project that would reshape your community. What would it actually cost in dollars, in time, and in energy to make it happen?
Do a scavenger hunt for crosses in a sanctuary, in a history museum, or in the world. Where do you find them? What meaning is implied by where and how they appear? What does the cross mean to you?

Closing Prayer

Lord Jesus, your words are hard for us to swallow. Give us courage to keep following you when the path becomes difficult, the cross becomes heavy, and the cost feels too high. Give us good leaders to help us on the way, and make us good leaders for others. Forgive us when we falter, protect us from despair, and keep shepherding us to, and through, and beyond the cross to Easter joy. Amen

Dave Dodson, Houston, TX

Warm-up Question

What ability do you have which you are most proud of?

It Goeth Before a Fall

It was a warm night in Springfield, Illinois on August 16^th when the rapper Twista took the stage to perform in front of hundreds of his fans. The lights were up, the bass was cranked high, and the notoriously fast rapper was spitting bars in his traditionally rapid-fire style. There was one thing visible that might have drawn attention away from the rapper, though: On the side of the stage stood a sign language interpreter. Her hair was buzzed short on the sides, a fiery red on top. Her clothes were all black (interpreters often dress this way to make their signs easier to read). She was bobbing up and down with the beat and, to everyone’s amazement, keeping up with Twista’s rapid rhymes.

I think it would have been perfectly natural for Twista to have gone on with his concert without much notice of the interpreter. After all, the fans had paid money to see him, not an interpreter whom no one knew. But that isn’t what he did.

Purposefully, Twista strode across the stage, still performing, and stood beside and behind the interpreter. He made sure everyone’s eyes were on her as he laid down the next few lines of fast rap. Her deft fingers flew through the words, and she didn’t miss a beat as she signed his lyrics. Still rapping, Twista gestured to the interpreter and led the crowd in a huge cheer for her amazing skills!

Discussion Questions

Why do you think Twista chose to direct attention away from himself while performing?
Think about your family and friends – have you ever been so proud of them that you wanted to show their skills off?

Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost

Proverbs 25:6-7

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16

Luke 14:1, 7-14

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

In cultures around Israel and Palestine, one of the most important virtues anyone can have is hospitality. The willingness of a person to welcome all of those who would come into his or her home is one of the strongest indicators of that person’s character. As Jesus gives this metaphor to his listeners, they would have understood that the host in the story would have been obligated to welcome his guests and allow them to sit wherever they pleased.

However, in the metaphor, the first guest makes a critical error: he sits at a prominent seat. Of course, his host would not argue. His host would never be so impolite as to deny his guest a seat. But then, later, someone else arrives whose status is higher than the first guest. What a disaster! Now the host is forced to ask the first guest to scoot over, and the first guest is embarrassed in front of everyone else. (Not to mention a host that is probably REALLY uncomfortable now.)

Even more than hospitality, this story is about pride and humility. Certainly, we ought to take pride in many things: our family and friends, our faith, and those talents that we have been gifted with. However, this story illustrates the disaster that can befall us when we seek pride of status. Let’s take a closer look at the mindset of the guest entering the feast:

Let us consider the first guest, the one who entered and sat at the head of the table. What was his thought process? He must have thought, either explicitly or subconsciously, “I am important. Surely I am the most important person that this host knows. Naturally, I should sit at the head of the table.” In this instance, the pride the guest feels is in direct contrast to how he feels about the host.

But what about the second guest? This guest, the one who sat at the foot of the table, must have thought very differently. “This host is wonderful,” he must have mused. “Certainly he has many amazing friends and guests. I will make room for them.”

Often, our pride can make us put ourselves in front of others. That is the tendency that Jesus is warning us about. When we think of ourselves as better or more important that others, we cannot serve them. And remember, Jesus told us that whenever we serve “the least of these,” we serve him. We must put away our personal pride and take comfort in humility. We can value others and lift them up. Then God, our host, will lift us up as well!

Discussion Questions

How does being humble make us better servants?
Can you think of any other stories from the Old or New Testaments which show great leaders serving others (after all, the humility of great religious figures is an important theme in our faith)?
What is the difference between being proud of ourselves in a healthy way and being proud of ourselves in a way that puts others down?

Activity Suggestions

Let’s practice the art of making ourselves humble and, perhaps, a little vulnerable. Everyone in the group should sit in a circle with an index card. Write your name on the top, then pass the card to your right. On the card you receive, look at the name, then write one amazing or wonderful thing about the person whose name is at the top. Then pass the cards right again, repeating the process until you receive your own card back. You see, when we prize others, we find ourselves lifted up, too!

Closing Prayer

Heavenly God, your Son humbled himself as he washed the feet of his disciples..He submitted to the judgment of human beings and let himself be killed by those who should have worshipped him as Lord. Teach us how to be mirrors of that perfect humility. Walk with us every day and show us how to serve and lift each other up, as Christ did for us. In his name we pray. Amen.

Don’t despair. Faith Lens is just on a Summer hiatus. The next posting is scheduled to appear on August 27, for Sunday, September 1.

Kris Litman-Koon, Isle of Palms, SC

Warm-up Question

What is a plant or animal that fascinates you? Is there a place of natural wonder that instills in you a reverent presence?

Transformative Changes

Sobering news was released in May by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), which is an intergovernmental body of the United Nations. Using a team of 455 authors from 50 countries, IPBES spent three years reviewing 15,000 government and scientific sources to come to the assessment that one million species of plants and animals (roughly one in eight species in the whole world) are threatened with extinction, many within decades. The chair of the IPBES, Sir Robert Watson, explains; “The health of ecosystems on which we and all other species depend is deteriorating more rapidly than ever. We are eroding the very foundations of our economies, livelihoods, food security, health and quality of life worldwide.” The driving factors behind these changes to our living planet are, in descending order of magnitude of impact: (1) changes in our land and sea use; (2) our direct exploitation of organisms; (3) climate change; (4) pollution; and (5) invasive alien species. All of those are the result of human activity.

The glimmer of hope found within the report is this: we can still avoid much of the worst consequences, perhaps nearly all of them. To do so, it will take “transformative changes across economic, social, political and technological factors.” For instance, a shift is needed in governmental and financial policies that will discourage actions that further this breakdown of biodiversity. Individual actions — like eliminating frivolous purchases and composting food scraps — are helpful in their ability to keep creation care at the forefront of our thoughts and practices. However, large-scale societal changes are needed to fully address the problems presented by IPBES. Ultimately what is required is a societal rethinking of our interconnected role within the broader ecosystems of this planet, followed by subsequent actions.

Discussion Questions

When you hear news of an assessment like this, what is your initial reaction? Fight (“That can’t be true.” “Someone else is more to blame.”) – Flight (“Quick! Change the channel!”) – Freeze (“If I do nothing, the problem will work itself out.”) – or something else?
The IPBES assessment says, “Negative trends in nature will continue to 2050 and beyond in all of the policy scenarios explored in the Report, except those that include transformative change…” How old will you be in 2050? How old will your loved ones be?

Acts 2:1-21

Romans 8:14-17

John 14:8-17 [25-27]

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

Acts 2:1 says, “When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place.” The day of Pentecost (“fiftieth day”) originated as a Jewish celebration. The apostles and other Jews like them had come from places that spanned the entire Mediterranean region to Jerusalem in order to celebrate the Jewish version of Pentecost. This is commonly known as the “Feast of Weeks” or “Shavuot,” and it is held fifty days after the Passover. To this day, Shavuot primarily celebrates the wheat harvest (Exodus 34:22) as well as God giving the Torah (i.e. the Law) to the nation of Israel. In summary, Shavuot highlights God’s goodness and providential care toward them as a people, witnessed in an abundant harvest and in the gift of Torah, which itself gives life and leads toward life.

For Christians, Pentecost coincides with the fiftieth day since the morning of Easter. This festival day is when we celebrate the Holy Spirit being first given – and continually given – to the church. However, too often we leave the story there. We may adorn our chancels in red paraments, we may read of the uniquely spectacular miracle of wind and tongues of fire; in the end our collective response to it is basically, “That’s a pretty neat story.” The special effects of that first Christian Pentecost story can make it easy to forget that Pentecost has more to say about the natural realm than it does about the supernatural realm. After Peter’s speech, the “wonders and signs” performed by Christians are listed: they shared communal possessions, gave to those in need, worshiped together, broke bread together with glad and generous hearts, and had goodwill toward all people (Acts 2:43-47). Those wonders and signs are not supernatural; the Holy Spirit is of course supernatural, but the manifestations of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit are very real and very earthly.

In many ways, this part of the Acts 2 Pentecost story fits nicely within its Jewish roots. Those roots of Pentecost proclaim God’s goodness, God’s providential care, and God’s desire for life on earth to be filled with abundance. Yes, a miracle gave the first apostles the ability to speak in different languages, but that was not an end to itself. That miracle was a means to draw people into Christ’s movement; a movement that is best manifested in real, earthly ways (see again 2:43-47) that proclaim in word and deed God’s faithfulness and God’s will for humanity. One way of viewing this manifestation in verses 43-47 is that these Christians are now empowered by the Holy Spirit to daily embody the fullness of a Shavuot celebration.

What are the ways that the Holy Spirit is moving us today, during this Pentecost Sunday? If we hear that Pentecost has at its core a celebration of harvest, of God’s faithfulness, of God’s goodness and providential care, and if we also hear the pleas and warnings from a living planet that is suffering at our hands, then we must make a determination on how to proceed. God desires life, an abundant harvest, and a people who will prophetically proclaim and embody God’s faithfulness toward all. We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is a power that we shouldn’t – but easily can – underestimate. This powerful Holy Spirit is moving Christians to come together to be voices and hands that are aligned with God’s goodwill and providential care in very real and earthly ways.

Discussion Questions

The apostles were limited in number and were fearful/doubtful of what awaited them, but then the Holy Spirit empowered them to proclaim the good news of God in Jesus Christ. That has changed the course of history. Can you think of other examples of people who were faced with a daunting task, but the Holy Spirit gave them power to overcome their fears or doubts?
When we acknowledge the scope of the earth’s biodiversity problems, we may experience anxiety or despair, with inaction often being the result. A productive method of getting over this hurdle is to find someone or a group who is willing to listen to our concerns and take them seriously. Who could you trust to listen to you? Could this be done within your congregation?

Activity Suggestions

Think back to the warm-up question: a plant, animal, or natural setting that fascinates you. Resolve to learn more about this unique creation of God and what its place is within ecosystems. Is it facing any threats? Are there people who are active stewards of it?
If you have the time and ability, have your group go outside together. Even if you are surrounded by human development, in what ways do you witness life in its various forms? Discuss how your group can take bold steps in being caregivers of this small corner of creation.

Closing Prayer

Lord God, on this Pentecost Sunday, stir your Holy Spirit that is within us. Light a fire within us and within your church across the world, that we may proclaim in word and deed your faithfulness, your will, your providential care, and your desire for life. Amen.

Chris Heavner, Clemson, SC

Warm-up Question

What makes you and your buddies, buddies? What unites you or holds you together?
Do you have a symbol for your group – a style of clothes or type of hats?

Being (Not) One

I was officiating at the wedding of two of our Clemson University alumni. Their friends stood up to make remarks – all of which were glowing and emotional. Some of these had gone to Clemson, so they included a “Go Tigers!” in their comments. High school friends started noting their graduations from other colleges. Then there was the admission from one that she attended a college in the SEC Conference rather than the ACC. (College football rivalries are important in the South.)

These exchanges were good natured and humorous; some such exchanges are not. College football is but one place where division and mistrust and hatred boil over into something ugly. Our country seems to be in a phase were name-calling and belittling have ceased to be taboo.

This is surely a place where the followers of Jesus need to make known a better way. In the midst of talk which sets one against another, Christians need to share our story and affirm our convictions. The followers of Jesus have had differences of opinion, but we have a message of unity beyond our personal preferences and styles.

Discussion Questions

Name the five persons with whom you have the strongest bond? What brings you together?
Identify at least two topics or ways of doing stuff which is different among your closest friends.
Have you ever had to set aside part of who you are for the sake of someone you wanted as a friend? What benefit did you experience by not allowing that one thing to push you apart?
Do you think Jesus’ followers are “one”?
What can you do (what can your group do) to best reflect the oneness we have as a result of Jesus’ ministry and his teachings?

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Acts 16:16-34

Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21

John 17:20-26

For lectionary humor and insight, check the weekly comic Agnus Day.

Gospel Reflection

These verses are the closing words of Jesus’ “Farewell Discourse.” Starting at 13:1, Jesus speaks words to his followers of how they are to understand his ministry and carry on with his mission. It is clear that being “one” is important to him.

When Jesus speaks of being one with the Father (John 10:30), he means they are of the same nature. They are one in the way that your foot and your hand are one. They cannot be separated! This is the oneness he wants his followers to have.

As is true for the times in which we live, the times in which Jesus lived were full of conflict and contentious parties. Jesus understood the powerful blessing known as the simple gift of being in sync with those around us.

To be “one” means we are so firmly connected that we can even risk the challenging work of honest speech. The hand can expose the splinter in the heel of the foot (which will cause the foot great pain) without the foot lashing out – “We are no longer connected!”

To be “one” means we know our lives and our futures are connected and so we will act in a way which ensures both of us will experience the fullness God hopes for us. This is the prayer which Jesus offers.

We are one, with the Christians in Sri Lanka gunned down during Sunday worship. We are one, with the inhabitants of Marshall Islands whose nation is being lost due to global warming. We are one, with refugees caught in the cross fire of drugs and gangs. We are one. Jesus said it was so. And we will live as one, for the wellbeing of all the creation.

Discussion Questions

When have you witnessed persons acting as “one”?
What changes in behavior are likely to happen when we acknowledge the oneness of all God’s children?
Do you think Jesus was limiting our “oneness” to those who belong to our congregation? To our denomination? To Protestants? To Christians?

Activity Suggestions

Identify persons in your community (maybe even your youth group) with whom you have had differences. Speak to them of the oneness you share, regardless of what might seem to separate you.
Make a list of those with whom you are one, and a list of those with whom you wish to strengthen an awareness of oneness. Pledge to pray the names of these persons each day for the next two weeks.
Watch one of many videos in which refugees share their stories. Here is one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b5H7je4m1A

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, you have made us one through the words and work of your Beloved Son. Living as one can be a challenge; living as one is a tremendous opportunity. With your grace, support us in our efforts to bring to fullness that which you have given to us. Help to be one, with all your children and with each of our neighbors. Amen.

September 8, 2019–Count the Cost

September 1, 2019–It Goeth Before a Fall

Faith Lens on Summer Hiatus

Don’t despair. Faith Lens is just on a Summer hiatus. The next posting is scheduled to appear on August 27, for Sunday, September 1.

June 9, 2019–Transformative Changes

June 2, 2019–Being One