Free movie, Friday July 25. Lord, Save us From Your Followers

July 7, 2008 by drew | No comments

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbPnWPOhL04

Free Outdoor Movie:
“Lord, Save us from your Followers.”

Friday Night, July 25, at 8pm.

On the lawn of the Unitarian Church at West Ferry and Elmwood.

This documentary explores the phenomena of Christians that look nothing like Jesus.

The film is for both those who believe, those who do not, and those somewhere in-between.  It invites us all to conversation, reconciliation, and service.

Please bring a lawn chair , a blanket, and/or a snack and join us for a thought provoking film, and maybe even a good discussion afterward.

WARNING: This film contains Southern Baptists, atheists, Al Franken, Catholics, homosexuals, Rick Santorum, the words of Jesus, Bill O’Reilly, and a cross-dressing nun.

Read more about the film here.

Politics!

July 7, 2008 by drew | No comments

This letter is a resonse from an onging email exchange.  I am sharing it is (in my opinion) I good example of open and honest communication producing better understanding.

It also gives me a chance to explain the way I think we should do church.

Dear X,

Regarding political statements, I hear you completely.  Please allow me to explain how I approach the subject:
Neither I, nor the congregation as a whole, will ever speak for or against a candidate and/or political party.
There may be times when political issues may need to be addressed.  The great failure of the German church was that it did not speak out against the holocaust because it did not want to discuss “politics.”
That being said, few issues rise to that level.  On most issues, I will not take a specific position, but instead speak on Biblical principals that can then be applied politically.  For example:  in this past sermon I stated that God values life.  Few Christians would disagree with this statement.  But it gets applied differently in regards to abortion, war, the death penalty, etc.  I will rarely, if ever, speak directly to those issues, but I will speak on the principals that should guide our thinking about said issues.  On most issues, people of faith can and will disagree, and I respect the fact that people with similar principals can reach different conclusions about applying these principals.
I will never encourage anybody specifically to speak politically, but I believe that politics is one of many realms in which we are called to live out our faith, so I won’t forbid it, either.  When a person DOES speak on a political issue, I will do my best to remind others that we can disagree and still be faithful, and I will make room for those who disagree to respond (respectfully, of course).
I also need to remind people that political solutions are always temporary at best.  Our hope is in God, not in any person, party, or country.
The goal of our time in worship is not to advocate for any particular position, but to hear and faithfully respond to the word of God.
Thanks again for obliging my request.  I will do my best to focus our reflections on scripture in light of the goal outlined above.
I look forward to seeing you on Sunday–or sooner!
Drew

Loaves and Fishes in the Buffalo News

July 3, 2008 by drew | No comments

This year, our kitchen has been 30% busier, reports the Buffalo News.

Sermons Styles and Politics, round 2.

July 3, 2008 by drew | No comments

X wrote, I responded (see previous posts).  This is the second letter from X as we explore why we do what we do in church.

What do you think?  Would you have responded differently?  How?  Is there a better way to make sure we hear “the Word of the Lord” as well as “the voice of the people?”

The following is the response to the response:

Drew,
Thank you for your thoughtful response.
I can not dispute anything you said.  I’m sure your assessment of generational differences is accurate and, as you requested, I will continue to be “graceful and patient” with these styles and consider them as “a gift to those in the church that need them”.
I will, however, repeat my strong objection to political statements made by members of the congregation during Sunday morning worship services.
Again, thank you for your response and for your leadership at this important time not only for Lafayette but for the church universal.

The kids and their instruments: June 1887

July 3, 2008 by drew | No comments

Check out this article from the New York ITimes from 1887.  It reports on the Presbyterian General Assembly’s changing of their rules to allow for instruments, the organ in particular, in church buildings.

Some pastors still refused to visit any church building that had one, as a matter of conscience.

Sermon Styles and Politics: Drew’s Response

July 2, 2008 by drew | No comments

(This is in response to the letter in yesterday’s post.  Remember, permission has been granted and the letters have been edited to obscure identities)
Dear friend,
First of all, thank you.  Thank you for your support and encouragement.  Thank you for addressing this issues directly with me.  Thank you for the leadership you provide.  My hope is that Lafayette Church will continue to develop people with character such as yours.  (That may sound grandiose, but I mean it sincerely).
Regarding the “forum style” sermons:   I understand the danger of this choice, and also that this opens the door to political statements and other comments that may lead to a cringe or two.  Frankly, I had a couple myself last Sunday.  I also realize that we should no longer give people the choice of speaking without a microphone.  The room is just too big.
I am also flattered that you want to hear more of me!
At the same time, I would ask that you continue to be patient and gracious, to leave room for those that think differently than you.
While you want to hear more of me (which, again–I love), others want more time to share.  Younger generations have disconnected from the church, in part, because they haven’t been heard.
When we look at the churches that are growing today, they tend to be in one extreme or the other:
On one hand, we have authoritarian churches, where the pastor is the dictator and everybody in agrees with him, and if they don’t, they can go to hell (literally, in some cases).  This happens in conservative churches, but this phenomenon also occurs in more liberal circles.
A church can grow this way–numerically, at least, as like minded people gather to have already established beliefs re-inforced.
On the other hand, there are diverse churches, where there is room for different opinions and conversation.  Bruce Reyes-Chow just got elected as moderator of our denomination, and he comes from a church like that:  every Sunday, he shares for less than five minutes and “facilitates conversation” for the rest of the sermon time.
Interestingly enough, Bruce’s church, though large and still growing, has hardly anybody over 30.  So maybe what we are dealing with is a generational difference.
I think you know that although I am sometimes tempted by the first style (everybody wants to be dictator now and then), it will hurt our community more than it will help it if adopted.
I think the second style is better for connecting different people (which we have) and for engaging the “under 30″ crowd (which is growing–even if I have “aged out” of that demographic).
That being said, the church is poorer if it loses the perspective, leadership, commmitment and example that comes from earlier generations.
Maybe I am being too optimistic in my hope that we can continue to grow without committing fully to one model or the other.  As far as I can tell, few congregations are moving forward the way Lafayette is.  For us to succeed in the path that we are on, it is going to take a special bunch of people that love another (fortunately for us–I think we have that!)
Frankly, it might be easier if we had two services for the two different perspectives.  Maybe we will take that path someday, but doing so divides our resources and, more dangerously, God’s people.
So I want us to continue to try to walk the line, at least for a season.  Every week won’t be like last week, but I think occasionally, we will need to do something like that.  In the same way, occasionally my preaching will be more “lecture style.”
It’s not easy leading a diverse group of people in worshiping God, but I do believe it is worth it.  Please know that I want our worship to be meaningful for everybody in our growing community, and that includes the “old fashioned” (as you put it) people as well.
My hope is that the times when things are challenging for you, you will continue to be graceful about it, and consider your patience with these new styles a gift to those in the church that need them.  At the same time, please know that it is just as important that your needs are met in worship, too.  I am not going to leave behind any of the wonderful legacy of this community.
Again, thank you for your emails.  This is an important conversation, and I am glad we are having it.
Drew

Sermon styles and politics.

July 1, 2008 by drew | No comments

This past Sunday, we had a time of response following my meditation.  Some people loved it, some did not.  One person who didn’t like it sent an email, and our exchange gave me a chance to express why we do things the way we do.  I thought it would be fun to share (permission has been asked and given, of course).

First I’ll post the initial letter.  My response will come tomorrow.  (This letter is an edited version, so that it remains anonymous.)

Dear Drew,

Call me “old fashioned”but, I have to say that I did not care for the format of today’s service. I do not believe a worship service should be conducted as an open forum. I know you like to have the congregation  participate in some way, but I think you went overboard today.
In most cases, I just grit my teeth when this happens and accept that this is something you believe contributes to our worship of God.  There is always the danger that things will get out of hand but, in most cases, you have been able to control things.
Today was an exception - one I hope will never recur.  I particularly object to political pronouncements.  There may be a place for this in discussion groups that participants voluntarily attend but I do not think that Sunday mornings in our sanctuary is the time or place.
If people wish to comment, they can do it after worship in the library as you would in the winter bible study.
A minor comment is that people who do not use a microphone might not be heard by those sitting in the way back, or in the choir loft.
When I attend a worship service, I want to hear “the word” and reflect on what has been said, privately. I’m not interested in hearing what other folks have to say. Does that mean I’m closing my mind to other opinions?

Yes it does. You are our worship leader and I want to hear what you have to say. Almost with out exception, I leave the service feeling that I was given something I needed to hear. Because of the long period of comments, I didn’t feel that today.

Drew, you’re the best thing that’s happened to Lafayette in a long time. These comments do not alter my opinion one bit!
One final note.  I love getting emails like this!  And not only because the criticism is couched in compliments, but because direct communication is always the best way to handle anything.
Consider how you would respond (and share it in a comment, if you would like).  Other things I would like to know:  How do the rest of you feel about time to respond verbally in worship?   How do you believe we should handle politics, and political issues in worship?
My response will come tomorrow.

Tuesday Night: Buffalo Philharmonic

June 30, 2008 by drew | No comments

They are coming to our neighborhood this week, for an outdoor show.  It starts at 7 on bidwell parkway.  You can meet us there, or at the church parking lot at 6:30.