I went out for dinner with some people from the tri club the other night. These gatherings (and workouts for that matter) are always hard for me to go too – it is another thing I do on my own – and although I am outgoing in my work – it is sometimes hard to continue to do in my personal time.
Anyway – during dinner the wife of the ironman coach got up to leave for church. So the conversation turned to the subject of church and faith for this couple. After a few minutes the coach turned to a conversation with a few people sitting at the other end of the table and a woman who I had met earlier in the evening made a comment about me being a pastor. Well . . . that set a few others at the table off about how that was so great and I must be so proud of that (blah blah blah).
Frankly, although I am glad for my “profession” it is not something that I would announce – anymore than someone who is a teacher or a mechanical engineer or a CFO. Actually - there are many situations in which I try to turn the focus from what I “do” because I am not sure if I am “up” for the reactions. And this evening in particular when it was hard to get myself to be open enough to go out to dinner with a group of people that I did not know . . .
So I was very frank about my hesitation in telling people – and why – and this woman sitting across from me again said, “Why? You should be so proud and so glad. What you do is so important. It matters to people. It’s not like you are just working at the corner store or something – You’re making a difference. You are changing the world!”
Well what do you say to that!!!!
My first reaction was to graciously agree – “yes I am proud to do what I do, and yes it does make a difference” – saying nothing about changing the world – really we all do that – but before I could get anything else out the questions started to pour about women in the church and faith and scripture and differences between men and women . . . I was so grateful for the focus moving away from me – and impressed with the thoughtfulness and intelligence of these people sitting around me . . .
As I reflect back on those comments – I realize that there was a lot of power for me there. This was a blessing – this woman was blessing me . . .
In a “humble” response, I would comment that we all change the world – I am only playing my small part. It just happens to be more visible and vocal than others, even the person who works at the “corner store” is making a difference
In a “grateful” response, I would again comment on the pride that this woman gave me in what I get to do. I do get to make a difference. It is my privilege to tell the stories of where God is active in the world and give people language and hope in that vision.
In an “indebted” response it is a great weight and responsibility to have that expectation placed upon the occupation of pastor.
And again – a blessing – I get to be a part of changing the world!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Friday, March 10, 2006
The profundity of triathlons.
OK – so while more people would not think that triathlons in themselves are all that “profound” you have to at least admit that “profundity” is a fun word to say . . .
For those of you relatively new to my world – I am a triathlete. My sister and I ran an iroman in 2003 and we are now training for Ironman Wisconsin (which takes place in Madison Wisconsin on September 10, 2006 – for those of you who want to be a part of our cheering squad!)
These past few months Triathlete magazine has been running a series by Scott Tinley (who in the world of triathlon may just be considered “the man”). Here are a few quotes of his (from the January and march issues of Triathlete Magazine)
“Thirty years ago I never thought multi-sport athletes would use their sport only to rub on as a balm that would protect them from the harsh realities of the world. And while I have nothing against those who do, it is those who peel back the layers, who open up the discourse and ask,” Is this good for all of us who have invested months and years of our lives into the idea that we take more from our events than a thin T-shirt and a canceled check?” They are the ones that will shape the next 30 years”
and
“What is important is that how we feel about ourselves keeps evolving as we learn and grow. Not as we change the channel or turn the page. And anyone can come to the dance, even, as Thoreau said, if they ‘hear a different drummer however measured or far away.’”
Although Tinley is talking about triathlons and the people who are a part of that community, it struck me that this is almost exactly what I would say about our churches and faith communities. There are so many who come to church communities to escape from the realities of the world – to hear a word of hope that tells them that they are “saved” or “redeemed”. It becomes a salve for those moments in the pews, behind the church doors. And while that certainly may be one reason for the church itself to exist, it is only one.
I have to admire and applaud those who are asking the tough questions about church, faith, communities, culture, Christianity, God and Jesus. (yes this at times includes me – I can admire myself right?). Those who are asking – “is this working?” “What exactly do we think we are doing?” “Can we work out our faith in different ways and different places?” “How can we be a place where we are able to express the love that Jesus taught us? – or Muhammad or Buddha or Elisha?”
I have learned more than I thought I would about myself, my faith, and my view of community from this world of triathlons. Funny how it is easier to reflect on something when you get yourself out of it . . .
For those of you relatively new to my world – I am a triathlete. My sister and I ran an iroman in 2003 and we are now training for Ironman Wisconsin (which takes place in Madison Wisconsin on September 10, 2006 – for those of you who want to be a part of our cheering squad!)
These past few months Triathlete magazine has been running a series by Scott Tinley (who in the world of triathlon may just be considered “the man”). Here are a few quotes of his (from the January and march issues of Triathlete Magazine)
“Thirty years ago I never thought multi-sport athletes would use their sport only to rub on as a balm that would protect them from the harsh realities of the world. And while I have nothing against those who do, it is those who peel back the layers, who open up the discourse and ask,” Is this good for all of us who have invested months and years of our lives into the idea that we take more from our events than a thin T-shirt and a canceled check?” They are the ones that will shape the next 30 years”
and
“What is important is that how we feel about ourselves keeps evolving as we learn and grow. Not as we change the channel or turn the page. And anyone can come to the dance, even, as Thoreau said, if they ‘hear a different drummer however measured or far away.’”
Although Tinley is talking about triathlons and the people who are a part of that community, it struck me that this is almost exactly what I would say about our churches and faith communities. There are so many who come to church communities to escape from the realities of the world – to hear a word of hope that tells them that they are “saved” or “redeemed”. It becomes a salve for those moments in the pews, behind the church doors. And while that certainly may be one reason for the church itself to exist, it is only one.
I have to admire and applaud those who are asking the tough questions about church, faith, communities, culture, Christianity, God and Jesus. (yes this at times includes me – I can admire myself right?). Those who are asking – “is this working?” “What exactly do we think we are doing?” “Can we work out our faith in different ways and different places?” “How can we be a place where we are able to express the love that Jesus taught us? – or Muhammad or Buddha or Elisha?”
I have learned more than I thought I would about myself, my faith, and my view of community from this world of triathlons. Funny how it is easier to reflect on something when you get yourself out of it . . .
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