Don't Blame Me!

G. Jeffrey MacDonald, a fellow minister in the UCC, wrote an Op-Ed for last Sunday's N.Y. Times. The gist of what he wrote is that clergy are suffering burnout because their congregations aren't interested in being challenged (see here: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/opinion/08macdonald.html?_r=1&ref=contributors).

To support his argument, Rev. MacDonald offers his own experience with a congregation he served, reporting that they wanted 10 minute-long, amusing, non-provocative sermons. He then implies that all churches are like this. Maybe I've just been lucky or my experience has been anomalous. But every church I've ever worshiped at, including the one where I now serve, has expected sermons that make people think and take them out of their comfort zone.

The mainline church has many problems and is losing members at a disturbing rate. But blaming the people in the pews isn't going to be the answer. Perhaps we in the ministry need to examine what it is the mainline church has focused on the past five decades and ask whether our priorities are in sync with what the faithful need and what the Gospel demands.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm 51:1-18: Sacrifice

During Lent people often talk about the things they've given up as a sacrifice.  That offering can seem like a burden.  Sometimes that's good, sometimes that's not.  It's good when we part with something that matters so that we can deepen our faith.  It's not when in doing so, we act as if we're doing God some kind of favor, one that deserves praise and acknowledgment.  The psalmist, along with the prophets and others in Scripture, not to mention Jesus, knew this reality.  They knew that it was all too easy for people to fake sacrifice, to look like they were doing something for God but in reality were doing something to boost their own reputation righteousness.  Here, in verses 17 and 18 and Psalm 51 we are told what God really seeks from us: not an animal on an altar, but real introspection and an honest accounting of our sins.  "Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.  The sacrifice o
Read more

Shortest Day

Today is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year.  You've probably heard by now about the conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, which should be quite a sight.  Of course, this being 2020, the sky will probably be overcast obscuring this celestial event. But rather than be pessimistic, I will indulge in some optimism, some hope, that we will be able to see what has been dubbed "The Christmas Star" - even though Christmas isn't until the 25th and Jesus was likely born in March.  Still, it's the thought that counts, right?  Advent is all about hopeful anticipation, and we're coming to its glorious conclusion. I choose to welcome Christ with an open heart.  What about you?  Will you join me?  Will you look heavenward, confident that, clouds or no clouds, Our Lord is coming to be with us?
Read more

Girl Power

I honestly don't know whether referring to "girl power" is, as they now say, "problematic."  I use it with reference to today's Scripture readings with only the greatest of respect.  The stories of Scripture are as much about women as they are men.  Consider Hannah, mother of Samuel, and Mary, mother of Jesus, who were two strong, empowered women whose faith guided their lives, example and morals shaped their sons, and witness that inspired the faithful for generations.  As we approach Christmas, let us remember these two women who have done so much to shape the faith through their commitment, grit, and love.
Read more