If you had 3 minutes, how would you introduce Jesus?

updates

I was thinking that there was going to be an internship meeting this Thursday evening. After all, it's written down on the little "calender of dates" sheet that students are given at the beginning of the semester. Alas, I was led astray. There is no such meeting. I'm assured that there will be, in the future -- but when? all in due time.
On the topic of items to make you chuckle, consider this: in the course of my Vocational Formation class I am expected to spend a whole week before the midterm break wearing a clerical collar, at work and play. When is midterm break? Why, the second week in March.
If you're not chuckling yet, realize that the co-director is due the first week in March. When I will be wearing a clerical shirt at the Seminary, and in public. At the hospital, when Spot is born.
I'm thinking that's going to cause some consternation in labour and delivery!
I wonder if I can partner with a parish and offer 2 for 1 baptisms....

"Here is a new picture for your banner - note that sun rays still light the clouds that try to block it out. Dad"

-thanks always, Dad!

Family?

For the past couple of weeks I've been taking an intensive class called Passing on the Faith, and it's left one thing appallingly clear: by and large, churches really are confused as to how to bring faith into the home.

Now, I know there's all kinds of excuses: the family dynamic has changed, the divorce rate increased, the church desired focus outside of its' own members. But all they are are excuses. They don't smooth over the fact that families, the basic building block of our society (however they appear, as groups of individuals with close relationships) are neglected by a church that often seems to care more about being socially conscious than equipping the laity to pursue their own faith development.

Imply whatever you want from the last statement. The fact remains that faith is caught more than it is taught -- and it's increasingly hard for young families to find resources to help them with the church at home. In many cases, the congregational church has so effectively quashed the home church that the latter has all but disappeared. Parents become graduates of MSU instead of seeking answers themselves. Kids realize that belief practiced in the congregation is largely a lip service paid to dead ancestors than a living and breathing faith in the Living God. By focusing resources on getting families through the doors, we've often ignored what goes on at home. We're sort of grinding our own millstones here, I think.

I think even about my own seminary education -- I learn theology, exegesis, a biblical language or two, interpretation, liturgy, and preaching. I have one class -- count 'em, one -- in passing on the faith. The rest is up to me. It's partly a question of resources, I know -- the Synods are stretched as far as they can go, and the National Church has bigger plans than equipping the laity. I been speculating for a long time that something is systemically wrong with the church, which is what's leading to the continual bitching over same-sex blessings, the ordination of women, and the ever-present heresy of biblism. Maybe this is it -- the church had an opportunity, long ago, to take a direct hand in helping families pass on the faith through their own generations.

I am definitely not arguing that families aren't this instant participating in religious rituals in the home. I am suggesting that this is often done more by accident than design, due simply to a lack of knowledge -- where to begin? What do I say?. A lot of the pressure is put on pastors -- well, they have the education, why haven't they do something? -- except for the fact that so far, in my seminary experience, we aren't taught this either with any regularity, so we're often left to Make Stuff Up on our own.

So I wonder what would happen if some of the resources used being in Mission for Others were allocated for being in mission for all? It could possibly help this millstone problem we've been having.

Just some early-morning thoughts.

which theologian are you?

Which theologian are you? created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Martin Luther The daddy of the Reformation. You are opposed to any Catholic ideas of works-salvation and see the scriptures as being primarily authoritative. Martin Luther 67% Friedrich Schleiermacher 60% Karl Barth 60% Jürgen Moltmann 60% Anselm 47% John Calvin 40% Augustine 20% Charles Finney 13% Jonathan Edwards 13% Paul Tillich 7%

Christmas and such

so, Christmas came and went, which was good. The Boy had his surgery January 3; it was a resounding success. The little fellow is so strong that he was up and running (literally) later that day. Of course, giving a toddler morphine is likely to cause that kind of behavior. It was interesting to see at times.
2 more months till #2 makes an appearance. We still have to pick names! Still uncertain as to whether it's a boy or girl. We both think it's a little boy, but are willing to be proven wrong. Everything's green anyway.
A tremendous thanks to all we saw at home; and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone.