It is not too late to join the conversation. Lilian Daniel's book
When "Spiritual But Not Religious" is Not Enough
is a collection of essays. They don't have to be read in order. So you can drop
into our discussion of this book at any time.
The section title for Part II of this book is "Confessing." I'll
confess that I don't always see the connections between the individual essays
and the overall theme of a section.
Chapter 6, "We and They" tells a funny story
about an eccentric woman with a metaphoric "log in her eye" and her
"garbage chasing" dog. This is the jumping-off point for a
description of clergy peer relationships and the role of the pastor in the
congregation. Here are some questions this chapter raises in me:
Jesus tells us to remove the log from our own eye before we pick at the
speck in our neighbor's eye. Is it even possible for us to take the
log out of our eye?
What is the role of the pastor in the congregation? Are Pastors
resident aliens? Full members of the congregation? Hired guns? Something
else?
What did you think of Daniel's description of a clergy meeting?
Laypeople: Is this what you think happens at gatherings of church professionals?
Pastors: Does this describe your experience?
Laypeople: Is this what you think happens at gatherings of church professionals?
Pastors: Does this describe your experience?
In chapter 7, "Magic Tricks" Daniel describes her
jealousy of "Rachmaninoff-playing Anglicans" and "Bible-based
Methodist magicians."
Do you get jealous of the gifts that other members of the Body of
Christ possess?
Chapter 8, "Sing Sing" was marred for me by
two apparent errors. First, Daniel says
Mary the mother of Jesus went to his tomb on Easter morning. (This is at
best unclear from the Gospel of Matthew).
Later she says that the Apostle Paul "collected taxes for the
empire." (He did not). Does this sort of thing bother anyone else
or am I just too picky? (You don't have to answer that).
More to the point of the chapter: Have you seen the face of Jesus
in an unexpected place? Can you witness to the power of the resurrection in a
place of death?
In chapter 9,"Knitting Prayer Shawls and Baby
Booties" Daniel describes her church's knitting ministry. She
compares the knitters' work to the work of God, the Divine Knitter.
Have you ever received a prayer shawl?
The ELCA's motto is "God's Work. Our Hands." In what ways are
hands in your congregation doing God's Work?
Chapter 10 "Confessions of a Picky Eater"rounds out this section of the book.
Can we welcome at our table those with whom we disagree? What
about at the Lord's table?
Okay, that's my questions for Part II of When "Spiritual But
Not Religious" Is Not Enough. Feel free to discuss them, to
raise questions of your own, or to comment in any way you see fit.
I agree with you that in don’t see the connection between the part titles and the essays. I do however,enjoy the essays as they provoke thoughts and questions in an entertaining way.
ReplyDeleteWe and they. What is the Hebrew word for remove? To uncover or reveal? I think of this as Jesus saying, “Debbie, be careful in your judgment of others as you have some issues of your own to deal with. Let the judging belong to God.”
Pastors. I love the author’s insight on the difference between pastors who refer to the congregation as they vs. we. I think we put our pastors on a pedestal. I think the role of the pastor is to be the leader and guide who has expertise for all the “ministers” of the congregation.
Magic. LOL with her statement “…it felt like he was cheating.”
I get jealous in a healthy sense, I guess. I notice and admire a talented person, but I don’t let it fog the mirror of what I look like and what gifts I have.
Sing Sing. Her errors also bother me (although, in truth, I probably would have missed them if they had not been pointed out). If one is going to quote stories from the Bible, it is best to be correct with the facts.
ReplyDeleteI think this chapter speaks to the power of touching people in need, especially those who are considered “untouchable.” I am always in awe of the underdog people who have “set their minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” and made a “resurrection” from their place of death. i.e. abused kids, single parents, prisoners.
Knitting. Interesting that Daniel describes God with a female pronoun!
My co-worker knits prayer shawls and sews prayer squares. It is a very powerful ministry. I love the analogy of knitting and how God knitted us together, fearfully and wonderfully. (Good object lesson for the kids).
Thanks for the input, Debbie!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read the chapter Sing Sing, I didn't wonder how Daniel made those errors (I make goofs like that all the time) so much as how they got past an editor.
I also found Daniel's use of feminine pronouns for God startling but not objectionable. It's a good reminder that God is neither male nor female.
I was shocked by the pastor as a hired gun question. I guess I've never thought about us in those terms, but I can imagine, especially in some difficult interim situations, that the job can feel like that of a hired gun who has been appointed to deal with an issue or member, or group in the congregation.
ReplyDeleteAdditional thoughts on the role of clergy in a congregation: If somebody ever figures that out, PLEASE LET ME KNOW! Until then my modus operandi will continue to be "Love one another..."
Perhaps off topic. dealing more with an overall theme of the book, but I found it interesting so I'll go ahead and throw it out there:
ReplyDeleteOne recurrent theme of the book is the necessity of community. Apparently some Athiests are figuring this out, too. See this article about the advent of athiest churches: http://www.salon.com/2013/04/28/dont_stop_believin_do_atheists_need_a_church/
This article was an eye opener for me! I have not been exposed to atheist rhetoric this acutely. (I’m a little socially inept). I knew atheists existed, but I have never looked into what they stand for and how they celebrate it. Two quotes stood out for me: 1) “If this is what the devout get every Sunday, then I want in - just, without God.” 2) “1/3 of Americans are SBNR.”
DeleteBut haven’t there always been free minded atheists? People who assault organized religion for all kinds of reasons? They are out there and according to this author their numbers are growing. It is quite sobering!
I own the book The Healing Connection by Harold G. Koenig, M.D. He is the founder of Duke University’s Center for the Study of Religion/Spirituality and Health. He has done significant research, using the scientific method, to study the impact of Christian faith on mental and physical health. He has found a definite positive connection. It gives one hope!
Picky eater. I missed the message in this one. It went from Daniel’s confession of being a picky eater to Paul’s advice back to the people at today’s table who are too bossy.
ReplyDeleteI Corinthians 10:27. I did however look up the passage of Paul’s advice to the early church because I too wanted to know why he said that. In my concordance Bible there are lengthy notes concerning verses 27-33. There is a tension between offending nonbelievers about their daily lives and compromising the truths of the Gospel. We never want to be so inconsiderate that we keep a person from being able to receive the Gospel news.
I didn't want to seem too persnickety, so I didn't mention that Paul wasn't writing about picky eaters. He was writing about people who had moral objections to eating meat that had come from pagan sacrifices.
DeleteI agree, Debbie, that this was not Daniel's best chapter.
You asked if anyone had received a prayer shawl. My wife has been knitting them for a few years and every so often I drop off a large sack of them in the church office. I know this is a meaningful ministry for her. A couple of years ago I did receive a prayer shawl from our pastor when I was struggling with back pain. For me, the shawl reminds me of his prayer for me that day, the prayers of whomever it was that knit it, and the prayers of the community (our congregation). My experience on the receiving end was more powerful that I would have anticipated.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, my wife also knits baby afghans, which are given to new mothers in the neighborhood of the church.
ReplyDeleteAfter doing a little studying of the I Corinthians 10:27-31 text, I came away with the following reflections:
ReplyDeleteSharing a meal and sitting at a table is a symbol of acceptance. If you are a guest at someone’s house, one of the ways you are shown respect is to sit at the kitchen table and eat a meal with your host. Same thing held true in Paul’s time, so he uses the example as a metaphor.
How do our actions impinge on others? We have been given personal freedom and a liberty to make decisions. For Christians, our decisions should be governed by whether it will bring glory to God. How can we show love, respect and encouragement for others?