I've
begun reading Robin Meyers's "The Underground Church: Reclaiming the
Subversive Way of Jesus." I knew this would not be a gentle read when
the second page of the Prologue claimed, "Every Sunday morning,
countless people wake up with both a desire to go to church and a
gnawing sense that it won't be worth it." Then Meyers queries, "Who [in
church] expects to weep at recognizing the world as it really is, or to
shudder at the certainty that until we start taking risks it is likely
to stay that way?" Then he charges that most sermons deal with safe
generalities and avoid dangerous specifics: "They neither take off nor
land on a street we recognize or in the neighborhood where we live. Then
before you know it, the fasten seat belt sign comes on to announce the
final hymn, even though no one has experienced a single moment of
turbulence."
I have enough to
ponder for the rest of the year and I've yet to make it to the first
chapter. I could be intrigued by Meyers's comments because at this time
of year I tentatively select texts and topics for next year's sermons
and services. He also helped me to remember that more than a year ago a
faithful saint asked me to preach on something akin to the "right to
die," a message that would proclaim that some situations call for
embracing a good death. I've never gotten around to that. Why? Do I fear
turbulence? Many of us have faced or will face this issue. I did with
my mother nine summers ago.
Since I'm still in
the Prologue, I'm not certain whether I can recommend "The Underground
Church." But I do want to ask what topics or texts the saints reading
this reflection would like an upcoming sermon to address. I have in mind
such daily realities as climate change, escalating violence, and
worship of wealth. Goaded by Meyer's quotation of a Mary Oliver poem
that speaks of the "melancholy madness" of Jesus' message, I also have
in mind the more demanding aspects of following Jesus and scripture's
repeated insistence that people of faith should have more hope than
fear, that each of us has a call to build and serve community, that
baptism changes everything, that encouraging each other is a command not
a courtesy, and that God expects us to seek not avoid the troubled and
the troubling.
So
again, what topics, what questions about the intersection of following
Jesus and daily life, and what texts would you like to discuss? Some
might prove more suited for a study group than a sermon. Some might find
their way into both. We might even have an occasional study that leads
to a sermon prepared not solely by the assigned preacher but by a group
of saints who have sought discernment together. If you have a topic or
text in mind, respond to the blog site below, send an email, leave a
voicemail, or write a note. I prefer signed messages because that makes
it possible for us to chat. If that's too uncomfortable, opt for
anonymity. I cannot promise to deal with everything suggested or to
consider all topics appropriate. I do promise to take every request
seriously. If we can help more folks awaken on Sunday (or any day) with
certainty that going to church for worship, study, service, or
fellowship is worth it, we will have been good and faithful servants -
even if that does not come without turbulence!
Grace and Peace,
LP
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