Naming the Seasons

All this talk about a Nazarene Book of Worship got me thinking about conversations I've had recently about the various names for the seasons, particularly the seasons that follow Christmastide and Eastertide. So I was wondering, what your church celebrates and why?

A) The Season of Epiphany/Pentecost
B) The Season after Epiphany/Pentecost
C) Ordinary Time
D) Other: _________________________
E) Nothing -- we don't do the season thing

Book of Worship Ideas

The previous post was about general assembly generally. In the discussion, the main thing to arise was the possibility of a Book of Worship. I thought a separate thread for that would be helpful. Please continue the Book of Worship discussion here.

General Assembly rundown...

Just thought I'd put together a quick post and paste in a few of the legislative items that pertain to the theological, liturgical and sacramental life of our church (and some that I simply find interesting). Discuss the relative merits of these actions in the comments; personally, I'm more encouraged than not, but I was disappointed by a few "non-action" actions...but hey, there's always next time.

• The delegates voted to accept the report of the International Church Committee's report with a strong vote, authorized the creation of a global Manual that would be streamlined in comparison to recent Manuals. The global Manual would consist of the Foreward, and Parts I, II, and III of the current Manual. It would also includes parts of Manual sections 100, 200, and 300 that are global in scope, retaining the universally appropriate polity and principles. The other parts of the current Manual would be adapted by the different regions to fit specific cultural contexts and would function as a "regional Manual policy handbook." The change authorizes a Global Manual Advisory Council that would give final approval to changes made by the regions to the handbook portions.
• Voted that gender inclusive language be used in church publications, including the Manual, and in other public language of the church, but that language changes must not be applied to scriptural quotations or references.
• Added a new paragraph on Christian compassion to Manual section "A. The Christian Life." The new paragraph states in part that "throughout the Bible and in the life and example of Jesus, God identifies with and assists the poor, the oppressed, and those in society who cannot speak for themselves. In the same way, we, too, are called to identify with and enter into solidarity with the poor."
• Adopted a new paragraph on "Creation Care" that will be added to the resolutions section of the Manual. It states in part that the church "accepts the individual and collective responsibilities" of Christians to "exhibit the stewardship qualities that help preserve [God's] work."
• Voted to refer to the Nazarene Future Commission a resolution that would have resulted in one ordained order and eliminated the Deacon track.
• Adopted a new paragraph on "Wellness" that will be added to the resolutions section of the Manual. It affirms health and exercise, makes a distinction between obesity and gluttony and discourages gluttony.
• Voted to refer to the Board of General Superintendents the resolution that would have made the sacrament of Christian Baptism a requirement for membership.
• Voted to refer to the Board of General Superintendents the Article of Faith on Holy Scripture.
• Modified Article of Faith I, The Triune God, by describing God as creator, sustainer, and one who is holy, love, and light.
• Modified Article of Faith XI, The Church, by defining the mission of the church as "making disciples through evangelism, education, showing compassion, working for justice, and bearing witness to the kingdom of God."
• Voted to refer Article of Faith VI, Atonement, for a comprehensive study with particular attention being given to including, within the article, references to the love of God as a motivating faction in the atonement and broader references to other aspects of the atonement.
• By a strong vote modified Article of Faith X, Entire Sanctification. Renamed the article "Christian Holiness and Entire Sanctification." Clarified the meaning of entire sanctification by describing it as a work of God which transforms believers into the likeness of Christ. Emphasized that transformation occurred through the Holy Spirit both instantaneously in initial sanctification, entire sanctification, and glorification and in a continuing perfecting work of the Holy Spirit.
• Voted to amend Manual paragraph 413.11 to encourage pastors "to move toward a more frequent celebration of the Lord's Supper."
• Adopted a new liturgy for the Organization of a Local Church, Manual paragraph 801.
• Edited the liturgy on the Baptism of Infants or Young Children, Manual paragraph 800.2 by defining Christian baptism for the infant: "Christian baptism signifies for this young child God's acceptance within the community of Christian faith on the basis of prevenient grace. It anticipates his/her personal confession of faith in Jesus Christ . . . Baptism also signifies the acceptance of this child into the community of Christian faith."
  

Also: any general discussion about GAC2009 is welcome in the comments. I'm especially interested in what folks think about the GS elections. What a...uhm...I don't even know what to call it...mess?

MED524 (Frequecy of the Lord's Supper) Adopted!

According to www.gacorlando.com, MED524 dealing with the frequency of the Lord's Supper was adopted today at General Assembly. The new statement will read:

"... Acknowledging John Wesley's advice that elders should "administer the Supper of the Lord on every Lord's day," and recognizing that a weekly celebration of the Lord's Supper was the New Testament and historic norm, we encourage pastors to see quarterly administration as a bare minimum. We further encourage them to move toward a more frequent celebration of this means of grace..."

Thanks to Br. Todd and the SW Indiana District, as well as JB and the Minnesota District for sponsoring this resolution and working toward a more sacramental alignment with the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Tradition to which we belong.

Worship as Sanctuary

There is a beautiful old church in the next town down that was one of the very first Episcopal Churches in Ohio. It has classic stone architecture, beautiful Tiffany windows, rich tapestries, and divided pews reminiscent of days gone by when people had to rent pews for their families. The only indication that this church is situated in the 21st century is the increasingly common double altar. It has the original and ornate high altar on the east wall, and it has the more recent free standing altar in the middle of the transept.

The church is struggling. It is a traditional Episcopal church committed to Anglo-Catholic faith and practice in an increasingly “contemporary” and “relevant” Episcopal environment. But I don’t want to get into all that.

What interests me is the sign they have by the front door. It contains three powerful words:

Come, Rest, Pray

I don’t know how many of you are aware of the issues going on in my life. My wife and I just had our second son on April 19. He is a wonderful baby boy. Five pounds, one ounce, and 18 inches long. His name is Pierce. Pierce has severe hemophilia. His blood will not clot. It is a genetic disorder and barring a miracle it is something he will have all his life. Right now his treatments are over $200 a dose, but we are told it is not uncommon for adult males to spend over $100,000 per year for treatment. Needless to say, life has been hectic, frustrating, lonely, helpless, stressful and a whole lot of other things too.

I think that is why I noticed the invitation at the door of St. Paul’s the other day. I need to rest. I need to pray. I need sanctuary. I need peace. Now more than ever.

I have challenged several friends in my lifetime that worship should be a component of our Sabbath rest. It should be a safe place where people can escape from the troubles of the world into the loving embrace of the Father. It should be a quiet place where people can escape from the noise of the world and be comforted by the still small voice of the Spirit. It should be a sacred place where people can escape from the pain and profanity of the world and be touched by the outstretched arms of the Savior. Worship ought to be that place where all the troubles of life melt away in the presence of almighty and all-loving God, and we find true rest and peace.

But so often that is just a pipe dream. More often worship is an emotional roller coaster. More often worship leaves us drained rather than renewed. More often worship is more noise than it is quiet. More often worship is this-worldly rather than other-worldly. More often worship is about getting people worked up and excited rather than helping them find peace and rest.

I believe people today are hurting more than ever. I believe people today are more exhausted than ever. I believe people today are broken more than ever. I believe people today are more distracted than ever. I believe people today need sanctuary more than ever. I know I do.

Perhaps that is why three simple words seared into my mind as I drove past St Paul’s Episcopal Church:

Come, Rest, Pray.

COULD YOUR CHURCH BE OUR HOME

Well I was afraid this could happen and it has, even though our small congregation has fought to keep things going we have not been able to do so. The economy and a aging congregation has left our small Nazarene church faced with dealing with the closing of our church in the next 60 days or so. Not a prospect any Pastor wants to have to deal with, even though I will probably be done at the church before that actually happens. So here we are wondering what to do next with two teenagers to boot. For us it has been a five year journey here with our small community of faith, it is a shame it has only been in the last couple of years that we have seen several new young couples attending.

But to get to the point of the matter and I'm very much aware of how the CotN works. But at the same time I was wondering, does anyone out there know of any good leads for a Pastor who has strong sacramental convictions, and is very much open to the ancient future form of worship, who is classically Wesleyan in theology. Be it either as Pastor or Associate Pastor in the Church of the Nazarene. Regardless please pray for me and my family during this time of transition in our lives. If you have any thoughts you can contact me through my profile here on the Sanctifying Worship blog.

Now for some food for thought, how hard do you think it is for a Nazarene Pastor with sacramental convictions to find a good match with a like minded congregation in the CotN?

Peace,

Steven

Via Dolorosa "Way of Grief"

Yesterday on Holy Tuesday I went to pray with my friends at St. Johns Episcopal Church. The Holy Week meditation was the fourteen traditional stations of the cross, sometimes known as the "Way of the Cross." As we prayed I found myself spiritually in Jerusalem walking the Via Dolorosa with my Lord, which is believed to be the road our Lord Jesus traveled to Golgotha. For me this is what good holy week liturgy is all about, being able to once again enter into the mystery of the passion and death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as we await the celebration of His glorious resurrection.

Have a blessed Holy Week.

Lenten Reflections on Prayer and Ministry

Two great readings this week from Henri Nouwen in A Guide to Prayer, week 18 (leading up to the Third Sunday in Lent):

“Listen, O Lord, to my prayers. Listen to my desire to be with you, to dwell in your house, and to let my whole being be filled with your presence. But none of this is possible without you. When you are not the one who fills me, I am soon filled with endless thoughts and concerns that divide me and tear me away from you. Even thoughts about you, good spiritual thoughts, can be little more than distractions when you are not their author.

O Lord, thinking about you, being fascinated with theological ideas and discussions, being excited about histories of Christian spirituality and stimulated by thoughts and ideas about prayer and meditation, all of this can be as much an expression of greed as the unruly desire for food, possessions, or power.

Every day I see again that only you can teach me to pray, only you can set my heart at rest, only you can let me dwell in your presence. No book, no idea, no concept or theory will ever bring me close to you unless you yourself are the one who lets these instruments become the way to you.

But Lord, let me at least remain open to your initiative; let me wait patiently and attentively for that hour when you will come and break through all the walls I have erected. Teach me, O Lord, to pray. Amen.”

~ from A Cry for Mercy, Henri J. M. Nouwen

“From all I have said about the minister as a sustaining reminder, it becomes clear that a certain unavailability is essential for the spiritual life of the minister. I am not trying to build a religious argument for a game of golf, a trip to a conference, a cruise to the Caribbean, or a sabbatical. These arguments have been made and they all strike me as quite unconvincing in the midst of our suffering world. No, I would like to make a plea for prayer as the creative way of being unavailable.

How would it sound when the question, “Can I speak to the minister?” is not answered by “I am sorry, he has someone in his office” but by “I am sorry, he is praying.” When someone says, “The minister is unavailable because this is his day of solitude, this is his day in the hermitage, this is his desert day,” could that not be a consoling ministry? What it says is that the minister is unavailable to me, not because he is more available to others, but because he is with God, and God alone – the God who is our God.”

~ from The Living Reminder, Henri J. M. Nouwen

A Pastors Responsibility to Prepare

Twice yesterday, I came across accounts of pastors administering the sacraments. Each pastor seemed to have a different approach to his responsibility to prepare the one receiving the sacrament to receive the sacrament. Consider these two scenarios.

1) A pastor has a young college student attending his church. That college student is a self-proclaimed atheist. The student has been in attendance at several communion services, but has never received because of his atheism. This particular service, however, the student came to the altar to receive communion. Before serving him, the pastor asked him a question, "Has something about your atheism changed?" The student convincingly answered affirmatively and for the first time received the sacrament as a follower of Christ. Later the pastor and the student got together to discuss this perceived change.

2) A pastor has felt the need to encourage his people to experience the sacrament of baptism. So he prepares a beautiful worship service that will conclude with a baptism service. He includes videos of people talking about baptism and preaches a sermon discussing the sacrament. At the close of the sermon, instead of the traditional "altar call," there is a baptism call. Many people stood up, came forward, and right there and then got baptized.

These two pastors seem to take very different approaches to "preparing" their people to rightfully receive the sacraments. So my question is this: (1) What is a pastor's responsibility to the church and to the people to prepare candidates for receiving the sacraments' (2) What do you do to prepare your parishioners or how does your pastor prepare you/your congregation to receive the sacraments?

How to be a theologian...

Ben Myers post over at Faith & Theology - "Advice for Theological Students: 10 Steps to a Brilliant Career" - was too good, I thought, not to link to.

And as a (less humorous) counterpoint, his "Ten Virtues for Theological Students."

I figure most of us around here, whether formally or informally, either are or have been theological students, so this should hit home on some level.