Last Sunday began our corporate theological discernment around the core questions of Christianity. The question of the week is "Who is God?" Half the congregation spent five minutes brainstorming what the Bible has to say on the topic while the other half of the congregation considered the tradition (mainly the BCP including historical documents, and the hymnal). Then together we shared what our reason and experience tells us. Here are our lists:
Who Is God: Scripture
Creator
Ruler of the Universe
Jealous
Governor
Judge
Wisdom
Love
Offers a covenant
In relationship with us/world
King Eternal
Omniscience-Omnipotent
Invisible
Unknowable
Holy
Almighty
Merciful
Alpha and Omega
Righteous
Forgiving
Shield and sword
Servant
I AM
Yahweh
Elohim
Triune
Who Is God: Tradition
Love
Father Almighty
Creator of Heaven and Earth
Maker of all things, visible and invisible
King of Peace
One
Living
True
Everlasting
Without body, parts, or passion
Infinite in power
Infinite in wisdom
Infinite in goodness
Ground of Existence
God knows us personally
God searches and years for us personally
I AM
Patient
Shield and defender
Incomprehensible
Holy Name is everywhere
Shepherd
Light and Salvation
Who Is God: Reason/Tradition
Beautiful
Comfort
Compassionate
Passionate
My husband
Patient
Provider
Enormous
Knowing
Accessible
Giver of freedom
Everywhere
Unseen artist
Likes to be appreciated
Incomprehensible/unknowable
Completely rational
Serenity (both is serenity and gives serenity)
Safety
I was pleased with the work we did during the sermon time. These lists are great! Do you see anything we've missed? What would you add?
Next week, we'll focus on "Who is Jesus Christ?" stay tuned.
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Preparing for the Bishop's Bike Ride
Gambier will once again be hosting an overnight for the annual Diocese of Ohio Bishop's Bike Ride. We'll welcome riders at the Kenyon Athletic Center where they can store their bikes and take a shower.
When riders are ready, they can walk up the hill to the Parish House where Junior Warden Toma will be coordinating dinner for the riders, the support people, and host parishioners.
After an early dinner, hosts will take riders and support folks home for an early night and a 7:30am departure for Friday's ride. I've been busy trying to make sure every rider and support person has a bed for the night. I'm finding out that many parishioners are out of town at the end of June!
When riders are ready, they can walk up the hill to the Parish House where Junior Warden Toma will be coordinating dinner for the riders, the support people, and host parishioners.
After an early dinner, hosts will take riders and support folks home for an early night and a 7:30am departure for Friday's ride. I've been busy trying to make sure every rider and support person has a bed for the night. I'm finding out that many parishioners are out of town at the end of June!
Thursday, June 7, 2012
DMin Course Two: Theology
I'm in the midst of the second of two Foundational Courses for my Doctorate of Ministry. This course focuses on methods of theology. Here's a quick overview of the books for this course:
Theological Reflection: Methods by Elaine Graham, Heather Walton and Frances Ward
This book is a good overview of many different theological methods. It is comprehensible and does a good job connecting, comparing, and contrasting different theological methods with one another. It was a good introduction for this course.
One thing I learned from this book is that the key tasks of theology are 1) to form character, 2) to build up a community of faith, and 3) to communicate faith.
Practical Theology and Qualitative Research Methods by John Swinton
Practical Theology was also readable and helpful for those of us who are working with theology in both parishes and a more formal, academic setting. It helped bridge the gap between our previous course on qualitative research methods and this course on practical theology.
Graced Vulnerability: A Theology of Childhood by David Jensen
We read this book with the intention of learning how Dr. Jensen created his theology of childhood. The book was well-written for our task. The author wrote in a way which helped us to see how he got from point A to point B. In his writing, it is clear his thought process began with the birth of his own child. He then examined history and culture and gave solid reviews of both as he then went on to develop a new theology of childhood.
This book is particularly helpful not so much for it's theological content but more for the ease with which the reader can see the author make his case. This book will be helpful both when we are crafting our papers at the end of this course and, more especially, several years from now when we will be crafting our final DMin project. It will help us structure a strong theological case for our project.
The Nature of Doctrine by George Lindbeck
This was a required book for my MDiv. I didn't like it the first time around. It hasn't grown on me in the last 15 years. It's not that I don't agree with him, but rather it seems to me he makes things more difficult than they need to be. There is so much jargon it is exhausting.
Lindbeck posits that historically there have been theologies based on doctrine, and theologies based on feeling. He suggests a new theology based on a melding of those, one based on rules in the same way that language is based on grammar.
It was interesting to note that out of our class of 6, four students had a difficult time with the book and two students really liked it.
Transforming Christian Theology by Phillip Clayton
This book was by far my favorite. I've already posted about it and about how I might use it both with a Youth Group and with an interfaith group at Kenyon. I'll be presenting the book to our class in the morning. I look forward to hearing whether everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did or if some others didn't connect.
---
What a blessing to be able to work on my doctorate. I love being rector of Harcourt Parish for many reasons. That they allow me the time to work on this doctorate is one of those reasons. I am blessed.
Theological Reflection: Methods by Elaine Graham, Heather Walton and Frances Ward
This book is a good overview of many different theological methods. It is comprehensible and does a good job connecting, comparing, and contrasting different theological methods with one another. It was a good introduction for this course.
One thing I learned from this book is that the key tasks of theology are 1) to form character, 2) to build up a community of faith, and 3) to communicate faith.
Practical Theology and Qualitative Research Methods by John Swinton
Practical Theology was also readable and helpful for those of us who are working with theology in both parishes and a more formal, academic setting. It helped bridge the gap between our previous course on qualitative research methods and this course on practical theology.
Graced Vulnerability: A Theology of Childhood by David Jensen
We read this book with the intention of learning how Dr. Jensen created his theology of childhood. The book was well-written for our task. The author wrote in a way which helped us to see how he got from point A to point B. In his writing, it is clear his thought process began with the birth of his own child. He then examined history and culture and gave solid reviews of both as he then went on to develop a new theology of childhood.
This book is particularly helpful not so much for it's theological content but more for the ease with which the reader can see the author make his case. This book will be helpful both when we are crafting our papers at the end of this course and, more especially, several years from now when we will be crafting our final DMin project. It will help us structure a strong theological case for our project.
The Nature of Doctrine by George Lindbeck
This was a required book for my MDiv. I didn't like it the first time around. It hasn't grown on me in the last 15 years. It's not that I don't agree with him, but rather it seems to me he makes things more difficult than they need to be. There is so much jargon it is exhausting.
Lindbeck posits that historically there have been theologies based on doctrine, and theologies based on feeling. He suggests a new theology based on a melding of those, one based on rules in the same way that language is based on grammar.
It was interesting to note that out of our class of 6, four students had a difficult time with the book and two students really liked it.
Transforming Christian Theology by Phillip Clayton
This book was by far my favorite. I've already posted about it and about how I might use it both with a Youth Group and with an interfaith group at Kenyon. I'll be presenting the book to our class in the morning. I look forward to hearing whether everyone else enjoyed it as much as I did or if some others didn't connect.
---
What a blessing to be able to work on my doctorate. I love being rector of Harcourt Parish for many reasons. That they allow me the time to work on this doctorate is one of those reasons. I am blessed.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Things The Church Can Learn From Apple
This morning I'm on campus early. We had an 8:30 rehearsal for commencement, and in an hour or so I'll be giving the invocation for the graduation of Kenyon's class of 2012.
In the down time, I came across a good article about how the church can learn from the ways Apple Stores work. The article is by David Lose, one of the regular contributors to Sermon Brainwave which I use most weeks in my sermon preparation. David translates well from Apple's business model into church work. The one addition I have is to #8. Apple uses an acrostic of APPLE to remind their workers how to serve well. I'd suggest that we use an acrostic of C-H-U-R-C-H in our work:
Come to church every week.
Have a relationship with God outside of Sunday morning.
Use the gifts God has given you to improve the world.
Recognize God in the other.
Create your own way to invite others to church or into an experience of God.
Help the leaders of your church: pray for them, support them, and take your part in the ministry of the church.
In the down time, I came across a good article about how the church can learn from the ways Apple Stores work. The article is by David Lose, one of the regular contributors to Sermon Brainwave which I use most weeks in my sermon preparation. David translates well from Apple's business model into church work. The one addition I have is to #8. Apple uses an acrostic of APPLE to remind their workers how to serve well. I'd suggest that we use an acrostic of C-H-U-R-C-H in our work:
Come to church every week.
Have a relationship with God outside of Sunday morning.
Use the gifts God has given you to improve the world.
Recognize God in the other.
Create your own way to invite others to church or into an experience of God.
Help the leaders of your church: pray for them, support them, and take your part in the ministry of the church.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Utilizing "Transforming Christian Theology"
This term I have five books assigned as pre-reading for my Doctoral course coming up in June. One book in particular, Transforming Christian Theology: for church and society, has really inspired me about ways it could be used in this ministry. Philip Clayton's premise is that we have done a disservice to all Christians by making "theology" something that only professionals do. He argues that every Christian (every person of any faith) has a theology and they're quite diverse. It will make stronger Christians if each of us examines our own theology and learns how to articulate it. Two ways I can imagine these ideas used in my ministry is with the BSRL and Youth Ministry.
Kenyon's Board of Spiritual and Religious Life
I am beginning a 2-year term as chair of Kenyon's BSRL. This group began about 15 years ago and now includes a variety of Christian leaders as well as leaders in the Jewish, Buddhists and Islamic faiths. When it began, there were parallel groups, one for students and one for professionals. We merged the groups seven years ago and it's been a great benefit to meet as a single, large group.
Some years we have spent a few minutes each meeting learning about a particular belief system, engaging in a prayer or practice, or reflecting on articles about spirituality. Next year, I wonder if we might use some of these questions as introduction questions at each BSRL meeting, and/or use them to create a larger college-wide forum "Thinking of Faith". Some questions I developed while reading this book are, "When you think about your personal/individual faith..."
-Is there a book or set of books that guides your faith?
-How do you understand that book and its contents?
-What is the central point of the book that guides your faith?
-What are the other sources for your belief?
-Is there a central person to your faith?
-What was most important about this person?
-What is one way your faith has changed?
-What is one way your practice has changed?
-How do you practice your faith?
Youth Ministry
Harcourt Parish has had a difficult time sustaining a youth group because of the small number of teens we have. Seven years ago we had a handful of teens and had a weekly youth group that worked. I'm hopeful we've reached critical mass again and can start a youth group in the fall. One of the exciting things about now is that these new youth have known my husband (a seminary trained youth minister) and I most of their lives--we have a level of familiarity and trust that doesn't exist in all youth groups.
Reflecting on this book, I realized that teens are at the perfect point in their lives to examine and articulate their theology. I wonder about the possibility of using Luther's Small Catechism as a base text--not to teach the youth what they should believe, but rather as a guide post, "This is what one church leader believed. What parts make sense to you? Where do you see things differently?" Other questions that would be interesting to grapple with in Youth Group include:
-What do you most believe about God?
-How is your life and action based on your understanding of God or the Bible?
-What are the central Bible verses and ideas that matter to you?
One way to organize a year or tow of the youth group would be to examine each of the Seven Core Christian Questions:
Who is God?
Who is Jesus?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What is humanity? What does it mean to be human?
What is the problem of sin, and what does salvation mean?
What is the nature and function of the church?
What is the future in which we hope and for which we long?
And for each question, make a four-quadrant answer space that includes: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. Youth could brainstorm and research these for areas for each question. I think this could create a deep, rich youth group experience.
Kenyon's Board of Spiritual and Religious Life
I am beginning a 2-year term as chair of Kenyon's BSRL. This group began about 15 years ago and now includes a variety of Christian leaders as well as leaders in the Jewish, Buddhists and Islamic faiths. When it began, there were parallel groups, one for students and one for professionals. We merged the groups seven years ago and it's been a great benefit to meet as a single, large group.
Some years we have spent a few minutes each meeting learning about a particular belief system, engaging in a prayer or practice, or reflecting on articles about spirituality. Next year, I wonder if we might use some of these questions as introduction questions at each BSRL meeting, and/or use them to create a larger college-wide forum "Thinking of Faith". Some questions I developed while reading this book are, "When you think about your personal/individual faith..."
-Is there a book or set of books that guides your faith?
-How do you understand that book and its contents?
-What is the central point of the book that guides your faith?
-What are the other sources for your belief?
-Is there a central person to your faith?
-What was most important about this person?
-What is one way your faith has changed?
-What is one way your practice has changed?
-How do you practice your faith?
Youth Ministry
Harcourt Parish has had a difficult time sustaining a youth group because of the small number of teens we have. Seven years ago we had a handful of teens and had a weekly youth group that worked. I'm hopeful we've reached critical mass again and can start a youth group in the fall. One of the exciting things about now is that these new youth have known my husband (a seminary trained youth minister) and I most of their lives--we have a level of familiarity and trust that doesn't exist in all youth groups.
Reflecting on this book, I realized that teens are at the perfect point in their lives to examine and articulate their theology. I wonder about the possibility of using Luther's Small Catechism as a base text--not to teach the youth what they should believe, but rather as a guide post, "This is what one church leader believed. What parts make sense to you? Where do you see things differently?" Other questions that would be interesting to grapple with in Youth Group include:
-What do you most believe about God?
-How is your life and action based on your understanding of God or the Bible?
-What are the central Bible verses and ideas that matter to you?
One way to organize a year or tow of the youth group would be to examine each of the Seven Core Christian Questions:
Who is God?
Who is Jesus?
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What is humanity? What does it mean to be human?
What is the problem of sin, and what does salvation mean?
What is the nature and function of the church?
What is the future in which we hope and for which we long?
And for each question, make a four-quadrant answer space that includes: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. Youth could brainstorm and research these for areas for each question. I think this could create a deep, rich youth group experience.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Buildings for Tomorrow Symposium
Earlier this week, our senior warden, a vestry member and I attended a symposium from the Episcopal Church Building Fund. Since the reality is we currently have more buildings than we need in the Episcopal Church, they are broadening their mission. This symposium was about creative ways to find new uses for our buildings and new income streams for our parishes. Our congregation, like many others, is currently wrestling with a budget deficit and the three of us found this symposium to be energizing and helped spark some creative ideas. Here are a few of my favorite things:
Diocese of Massachusetts
The Diocese of Massachusetts gave a wonderful talk and shared their resources about church merging and closing. They have had a number of church closings/mergings and will continue to do so for a while. Their diocese has done much work in this area and were willing to share what they have learned. You can see information they have developed about Vitality, Viability, and Mutuality here. Good stuff!
Diocese of Iowa
Last year the Diocese of Iowa was part of a coaching program with ECBF. The diocese invited congregations to take part in this "Recasting of Building Assets" program. Twenty congregations were interested, four were chosen to participate, and three have had success using the process. It was a delight to listen to the stories of these parishes transformed. One parish began selling toffee to bridge the gap in its budget. Another is working on gourmet dog treats. But more than simply hearing what they were doing, we could hear and see the life and vitality in these people. We could feel how energized they were from being a part of new life in the church.
It was also affirming to be in this workshop because the process these churches went through is very similar to what we are currently doing here at Harcourt Parish as we consider our assets, our strengths, and our calling.
You're Never Far From Home
This symposium was at the Maritime Institute in Baltimore. As we were walking to a workshop, we were surprised to notice a photo of Old Kenyon on the wall. We had to stop and take our picture by the memorial to the SS Kenyon Victory:
Diocese of Massachusetts
The Diocese of Massachusetts gave a wonderful talk and shared their resources about church merging and closing. They have had a number of church closings/mergings and will continue to do so for a while. Their diocese has done much work in this area and were willing to share what they have learned. You can see information they have developed about Vitality, Viability, and Mutuality here. Good stuff!
Diocese of Iowa
Last year the Diocese of Iowa was part of a coaching program with ECBF. The diocese invited congregations to take part in this "Recasting of Building Assets" program. Twenty congregations were interested, four were chosen to participate, and three have had success using the process. It was a delight to listen to the stories of these parishes transformed. One parish began selling toffee to bridge the gap in its budget. Another is working on gourmet dog treats. But more than simply hearing what they were doing, we could hear and see the life and vitality in these people. We could feel how energized they were from being a part of new life in the church.
It was also affirming to be in this workshop because the process these churches went through is very similar to what we are currently doing here at Harcourt Parish as we consider our assets, our strengths, and our calling.
You're Never Far From Home
This symposium was at the Maritime Institute in Baltimore. As we were walking to a workshop, we were surprised to notice a photo of Old Kenyon on the wall. We had to stop and take our picture by the memorial to the SS Kenyon Victory:
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Appendix A, FC.710 Ministry in Context
I am about to send in my final project for my first DMin course, FC.710 Ministry in Context, from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. There are a few online resources that might make this paper more interesting to read for someone who hasn't visited Gambier, so I am listing them here and putting a link in my paper.
Acclimating to Life on the Hill
Here is an interactive map of Kenyon College. Both the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Parish House are listed.
KCpedia has a wealth of interesting information about the Church of the Holy Spirit (although its information under the listing of Harcourt Parish is only somewhat accurate.)
Here is a link to the Harcourt Parish website, a link to our Homestay@Kenyon program, and a link to our Facebook page which includes photos of recent events.
I hope these links help you readers imagine life in Gambier, Ohio.
Acclimating to Life on the Hill
Here is an interactive map of Kenyon College. Both the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Parish House are listed.
KCpedia has a wealth of interesting information about the Church of the Holy Spirit (although its information under the listing of Harcourt Parish is only somewhat accurate.)
Here is a link to the Harcourt Parish website, a link to our Homestay@Kenyon program, and a link to our Facebook page which includes photos of recent events.
I hope these links help you readers imagine life in Gambier, Ohio.
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