I have been a bit of a slacker when it comes to posting new blogs. The one real question I have been facing is, "How do small churches identify and develop new leaders within the church?" I will come back to that question later this week.
This is my article for the October edition of "The Messenger", the newsletter of Peace United Church and Grey Eagle UMC.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The big debate that has raged throughout the summer and now into the fall is the issue of health care for all people. According to the US Census Bureau, almost 46 million people under the age of 65, or 18% of the US population under the age of 65, were without health insurance in 2007. The economic downturn we experienced in 2008 may have added another 7 million to that number. That translates to 1 in 5 people under the age of 65.
Those of us who do have health insurance are finding it to be much more expensive. Small employers cannot afford to cover their employees. Large employers are finding their costs are rising significantly prompting many to cancel any coverage they may have. Only young, single adults without any preexisting health problems can find affordable coverage. Anyone else looking to buy an individual policy is nearly priced out of the market.
We also need a change of terminology. “Health insurance” is not a true insurance such as a home-owner’s policy, or car insurance, or life insurance. These types of insurance cover only catastrophic events but not the usual maintenance. Hit a deer and your auto policy will cover it with a 10 or 20% deductible. Need new tires or an oil change and you will pay for it out of your own pocket.
With health insurance, we want everything to be covered except for the co-pays and deductibles. If it were a true insurance, then only the catastrophic events, such as cancer, stroke, or heart attacks, would be covered while we would be responsible for maintenance and checkups. If you need a drug to keep your cholesterol low, you would be responsible. As with a car or a home, the better you maintain it the longer it will last. If a catastrophe happens the insurance kicks in. So, instead of calling it insurance, we should simply call it something like “Health-care System” or “Health-care Coverage”.
Whom should the United States Healthcare System cover? Simply: everyone. Why? Because that is what Jesus did. I won’t regurgitate everything he said, but conservative Christian pollster George Barna wrote an article this week calling on Christians to be active in healing the sick. He examined the stories of Jesus’ healings and concluded that we should follow Jesus’ example. You can find the complete article here. Here is a summary paragraph:
"In short, Jesus Christ showed us that anyone who follows Him is expected to address the most pressing needs of others. You can describe Jesus’ health care strategy in four words: whoever, whatever, whenever, wherever. Whoever needed to be healed received His healing touch. Whatever affliction they suffered from, He addressed it. Whenever the opportunity to heal arose, He seized it. Wherever they happened to be, He took care of it."
George Barna did not endorse any governmental plan for universal health-care (there are many models around the world; read TR Reid’s latest book The Healing of America: A Global Quest for Better, Cheaper, and Fairer Health Care). I take this conclusion from his article: if we are unable or unwilling to help those without health-care coverage ourselves as Jesus calls us to do, then we need to find and fund a way for someone else to do it. That just may turn out to be the federal government. Let’s get this done, America. It is the right thing to do.
Peace in Christ, Pastor Gary
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
The Divide in America
(9/5/09) I haven't posted since I put up the September newsletter. I had a couple of responses from those who read it in "The Messenger", the newsletter of Peace United Church and Grey Eagle UMC. A couple of people agreed with it and a couple were perplexed.
The latest controversy that seems to be sweeping the country is not the health care initiative, the cap and trade bill, or the economic situation. No, the big controversy this weekend seems to be President Obama's scheduled speech to school children. This seems to be upsetting people in both the big cities and in the rural areas. I have heard of people in Todd County who oppose the speech being shown in schools. Several districts in the area have decided not to show it. Those who oppose the telecast, conservatives, forget that their iconic ideologue, Ronald Reagan, also did a speech to encourage students. (President George HW Bush did one, also.) [9/6/09 update: A friend states that the controversy first erupted over the wording of the study guide that was released last week. But even after the White House revised the lesson plan many still object to the speech. My take: if the lesson plan/study guide is objectionable, then instruct your children not to use it but still listen to what the President has to say. Since they still don't want their children to hear it then the lesson plan issue was a straw dog.]
My big question is simple. "Why?" Why is this such a big controversy? I have a feeling, but no real hard evidence, that those who have been adamantly against Obama, oppose him in the little things, even a speech to encourage children to stay in school and get their education. Does this mean that those who oppose Obama, oppose education? No, I don't think so. I think it might be just a knee jerk reaction.
Some other questions have also crossed my mind the last few days about this controversy. Why do people not want to hear ideas and opinions that they may not agree with? Why are we so closed to other people's views? Are we so entrenched in our ways that we are afraid to hear what others have to say? This reminds me of something that happened in 2002.
Early in 2002, several months after the attacks of September 11, 2001, my local school district scheduled at Roman Catholic nun to come and speak at the school about Islam. From all the information I heard, she was an expert on Islam and had spent some years in Muslim countries. Her expected outcome for the day she was to give her presentation was to inform our students about the Islam that the majority of Muslims around the world follow.
What followed when the school informed the parents of the program was a campaign to get the school to cancel the program even though parents could opt their students out of the program. Those who opposed the presentation said that Christians, especially the young children, should not be exposed to anything so vile and evil (I am paraphrasing here). The (spineless, expedient, and politically driven) school board caved in almost immediately and canceled the program. What I think happened was that they were afraid that their hatred for Muslims in general might have been found baseless. Why are people so afraid of competing idea, even if those "ideas" are simply information?
Is this what America has come to? Are we so divided that we can't listen to each other? When will cooler and calmer people prevail? We can have our differences, and we will, but we can also treat those with other opinions with respect and courtesy as we listen. Listening with respect can open us to the presence of Christ in another and can open us to our own spiritual growth through the power of the Holy Spirit. Come on, America, calm down, take a deep breath, and listen!
Let us pray: Oh God, most merciful and loving creator, open us to the power of your Spirit in our lives and let us with ears hear the voice of your Son in the words of others. Guide us in the way we treat others and show us how to listen intently before we speak. In the name of your Son, Jesus the Christ, who was always open to others. Amen.
The latest controversy that seems to be sweeping the country is not the health care initiative, the cap and trade bill, or the economic situation. No, the big controversy this weekend seems to be President Obama's scheduled speech to school children. This seems to be upsetting people in both the big cities and in the rural areas. I have heard of people in Todd County who oppose the speech being shown in schools. Several districts in the area have decided not to show it. Those who oppose the telecast, conservatives, forget that their iconic ideologue, Ronald Reagan, also did a speech to encourage students. (President George HW Bush did one, also.) [9/6/09 update: A friend states that the controversy first erupted over the wording of the study guide that was released last week. But even after the White House revised the lesson plan many still object to the speech. My take: if the lesson plan/study guide is objectionable, then instruct your children not to use it but still listen to what the President has to say. Since they still don't want their children to hear it then the lesson plan issue was a straw dog.]
My big question is simple. "Why?" Why is this such a big controversy? I have a feeling, but no real hard evidence, that those who have been adamantly against Obama, oppose him in the little things, even a speech to encourage children to stay in school and get their education. Does this mean that those who oppose Obama, oppose education? No, I don't think so. I think it might be just a knee jerk reaction.
Some other questions have also crossed my mind the last few days about this controversy. Why do people not want to hear ideas and opinions that they may not agree with? Why are we so closed to other people's views? Are we so entrenched in our ways that we are afraid to hear what others have to say? This reminds me of something that happened in 2002.
Early in 2002, several months after the attacks of September 11, 2001, my local school district scheduled at Roman Catholic nun to come and speak at the school about Islam. From all the information I heard, she was an expert on Islam and had spent some years in Muslim countries. Her expected outcome for the day she was to give her presentation was to inform our students about the Islam that the majority of Muslims around the world follow.
What followed when the school informed the parents of the program was a campaign to get the school to cancel the program even though parents could opt their students out of the program. Those who opposed the presentation said that Christians, especially the young children, should not be exposed to anything so vile and evil (I am paraphrasing here). The (spineless, expedient, and politically driven) school board caved in almost immediately and canceled the program. What I think happened was that they were afraid that their hatred for Muslims in general might have been found baseless. Why are people so afraid of competing idea, even if those "ideas" are simply information?
Is this what America has come to? Are we so divided that we can't listen to each other? When will cooler and calmer people prevail? We can have our differences, and we will, but we can also treat those with other opinions with respect and courtesy as we listen. Listening with respect can open us to the presence of Christ in another and can open us to our own spiritual growth through the power of the Holy Spirit. Come on, America, calm down, take a deep breath, and listen!
Let us pray: Oh God, most merciful and loving creator, open us to the power of your Spirit in our lives and let us with ears hear the voice of your Son in the words of others. Guide us in the way we treat others and show us how to listen intently before we speak. In the name of your Son, Jesus the Christ, who was always open to others. Amen.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
September Newsletter Article
Each month I write a article for my parish's newsletter and, beginning with this post, I will publish those articles here.
------------------------------
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
As I think back over the last couple of weeks I am struck by the blessings and curses of 21st Century technology. For example, think back to that terrible tragedy of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Yes, news organizations rushed to get the news out and, if you are a certain age, we fondly remember the words and emotions of broadcaster Walter Cronkite. Many Americans got the chance to see the memorial train that took his body to Washington DC and everyone has probably seen the wonderful and moving picture of John Jr. as he saluted his father at the funeral service. While all the news organizations worked hard to bring the nation the stories, we weren’t inundated constantly with it. And anyone who had an opinion about the President’s death could only voice it with family and friends, at the water-cooler, or with a letter to the editor (which may or may not get published).
Now flash forward to this morning’s news that his brother, Senator Edward Kennedy, died overnight as a result of his brain cancer. While it is not the only news on TV, Radio, and the internet, there does seem to be too much of it. Every “talking head” has to spout their opinion on Sen. Kennedy’s influence on the Senate and the nation and what may happen now that he is dead. Conservatives, while not exactly gloating, are looking forward to the next several months because the Democrats will only have 59 votes in the Senate and not the filibuster-proof 60. And, while I haven’t listened to any, I’d be willing to bet that the conservative radio talk shows (think Rush L.) are just brimming with callers rejoicing at his death. The same is probably happening at conservative blogs (blogs = web logs or diaries that anyone can read and reply to). Modern technology in communication has given us an explosion in ways in which all people can voice their opinions and opposition, and many of them do.
That brings me to last week’s vote by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to allow church to call as their pastor a gay or lesbian clergy who is in a “life-long, committed, same-sex” relationship. This article is not about whether I support or reject the decision made. What upsets me the most is the ugliness of the arguments on both sides. Do an internet search on “gay clergy ELCA” or any similar phrase. Go to the articles that the search found and read them. More importantly, read the comments below the articles. It is saddening to think that people are writing some of these things. Some of it is hateful. Much of it is disrespectful. Everyone quotes the Bible. And no one tries to have a minimal understanding of the other side.
In James 1:19-20, the writer says, “You must understand this: . . . let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.” In verse 26 the writer says, “If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.” Our quickness, as a society, community, or church, to go to the extremes in voicing and defending our views ultimately will be our downfall. Jesus, who stands in the middle and opens his Table to all, calls to all to love God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strengths and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (or as God has loved us).
Peace in Christ
------------------------------
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
As I think back over the last couple of weeks I am struck by the blessings and curses of 21st Century technology. For example, think back to that terrible tragedy of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Yes, news organizations rushed to get the news out and, if you are a certain age, we fondly remember the words and emotions of broadcaster Walter Cronkite. Many Americans got the chance to see the memorial train that took his body to Washington DC and everyone has probably seen the wonderful and moving picture of John Jr. as he saluted his father at the funeral service. While all the news organizations worked hard to bring the nation the stories, we weren’t inundated constantly with it. And anyone who had an opinion about the President’s death could only voice it with family and friends, at the water-cooler, or with a letter to the editor (which may or may not get published).
Now flash forward to this morning’s news that his brother, Senator Edward Kennedy, died overnight as a result of his brain cancer. While it is not the only news on TV, Radio, and the internet, there does seem to be too much of it. Every “talking head” has to spout their opinion on Sen. Kennedy’s influence on the Senate and the nation and what may happen now that he is dead. Conservatives, while not exactly gloating, are looking forward to the next several months because the Democrats will only have 59 votes in the Senate and not the filibuster-proof 60. And, while I haven’t listened to any, I’d be willing to bet that the conservative radio talk shows (think Rush L.) are just brimming with callers rejoicing at his death. The same is probably happening at conservative blogs (blogs = web logs or diaries that anyone can read and reply to). Modern technology in communication has given us an explosion in ways in which all people can voice their opinions and opposition, and many of them do.
That brings me to last week’s vote by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to allow church to call as their pastor a gay or lesbian clergy who is in a “life-long, committed, same-sex” relationship. This article is not about whether I support or reject the decision made. What upsets me the most is the ugliness of the arguments on both sides. Do an internet search on “gay clergy ELCA” or any similar phrase. Go to the articles that the search found and read them. More importantly, read the comments below the articles. It is saddening to think that people are writing some of these things. Some of it is hateful. Much of it is disrespectful. Everyone quotes the Bible. And no one tries to have a minimal understanding of the other side.
In James 1:19-20, the writer says, “You must understand this: . . . let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.” In verse 26 the writer says, “If any think they are religious, and do not bridle their tongues but deceive their hearts, their religion is worthless.” Our quickness, as a society, community, or church, to go to the extremes in voicing and defending our views ultimately will be our downfall. Jesus, who stands in the middle and opens his Table to all, calls to all to love God with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strengths and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (or as God has loved us).
Peace in Christ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)