You used to know who was in the worship services you were leading, or attending. You could look around and you'd see familiar, beloved faces. You'd know, in most churches, who the "new" people were. It's the familiar, beloved ones we're (mostly) lamenting right now. They're the ones we pastors picture when we stand before a camera in an empty room. When some of us have posted pictures along our pews to represent the absent worshipers, theirs are the faces we've included. With churches now empty and worship freshly moved online, it would be easy to focus on the ways we're in the … [Read more...] about When You Don’t Know Who’s Worshiping
welcome
Cross Generations (and the Invitation for March)
The promise of the church has always included connection across generations, people of all ages getting connected and practicing relationship and genuine love with one another. I can testify to the truth of that happening across the decades of my life. It has always been one of my favorite things about church. Trouble is, it's barely true anymore. It is no surprise to most of us church folk that our churches are aging, and we aren't connecting well with people of younger generations. (Here's one among a multitude of articles on this phenomenon.) I see it in person among the many dozens … [Read more...] about Cross Generations (and the Invitation for March)
Learning from Dolly
Though I'm not a country music fan, I've been drawn into the excellent podcast called Dolly Parton's America. It's a fascinating glimpse into the life and work of this womanwho is an icon of music and screen, with fervent fans that cross generational, socioeconomic and political divides. Forbes called it the best podcast of 2019. Last night I listened to the fifth episode, "Dollitics," which explores the way Parton navigates--or, often, ducks--political issues and questions in a way that keeps her connected to a broad range of people. Watch that dynamic in this clip from the 2017 Emmys, … [Read more...] about Learning from Dolly
A C&E Connection Primer
As Christmas Eve rushes toward us, it's a good time to brush off our collective plans and skills for an opportunity that will be literally within arm's reach: Making connections with the C&E folks who will sit down the row from us. C&E, as in "Christmas and Easter church-goers," used here as a helpful description and without judgment. Some of my best friends--and certainly some of my blog readers--would describe themselves as C&E-ers! Since connection--relationship--is at the core of the (desirable) foolishness I'm always talking about, Christmas Eve seems like a reasonable … [Read more...] about A C&E Connection Primer
Yes, Oklahoma, but will you welcome them?
Oklahoma made history on Monday with the release of nearly 500 persons from prison, 70 of which were women. The release is one step. Here's the next: Oklahoma churches and communities have an unprecedented opportunity to welcome those people home. Will you seize it? Oklahoma has had the unholy distinction of incarcerating more of their citizens than nearly any other state, and the highest proportion of women. The state has been working on changing that, and Monday's commutation is one step in that larger effort. The 462 persons released that day were doing time for drug possession or other … [Read more...] about Yes, Oklahoma, but will you welcome them?
Room at the Table
This song by Carrie Newcomer has become important for us at the prison and for me as I think about life and ministry. There's a sweet video of this song, full of dancing feet; I'm not sure what the dancing has to do with the welcoming table, but I dare you to watch it and not smile. I wonder, though, is it true? No matter who you are, no matter where you're from,There is room at the table for everyone.Here and now we can be, the beloved community,There is room at the table for everyone.There is room for us all, and no gift is too small.There is room at the table for everyone.There's … [Read more...] about Room at the Table