I Am a Christian…and a Liberal

 

 

John 13:34 (NRSV) 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.

I am a Christian AND a Liberal!

I don’t see these two parts of my life as contradictory, instead, I am a Liberal because of my Christian beliefs.

I believe that Christians are called to follow the example and ministry of Jesus, in order to make Christ’s message of love and compassion known in our world. This does not mean that we are to force our faith on others, but to share the gift of God’s love with the world…just as Jesus commanded in John 13:34.

To love one another does not mean we have to agree with each other, or even like each other (although it helps) it does mean that we are called treat others with respect and compassion, to remember that while none of us are perfect, and no one has all the answers, we are all in this together.

And we need each other to survive.

To love one another, is to offer help, hope and forgiveness to all those who are in need (and who is NOT in need of compassion?), without reservation or conditions. This means that nationality, religion, race or politics does not matter, what does matter is that we are all well-loved children of God (even those who do not believe in God at all) and are all part of the same family.

This is not an easy task, it takes practice, but it fits in with the teachings of Jesus, who reached out to all people, even those who wanted him dead, with forgiveness and compassion. It is Jesus who reached out to the poor and the sick, and to all the broken people in the world, with healing and hope.

This is why, as a Christian, I cannot support our President, and others who seek to build themselves up by stirring up divisions through lies, and exaggerations. Those who point out our differences, instead of focusing on what we all have in common, turning the ‘outsider’ into scapegoats, blaming them for most of our problems.

I cannot support those who are openly racist, show disdain for the poor, and line their own pockets while ignoring, and even mocking, the needs of those who are sick and suffering. Nor can I support those who are seeking to separate children from their parents, compares other human beings to animals, and who seek to limit the rights of those they disagree with, when they speak out against injustice or call for change.

I believe we need a leader who puts the nation’s interests first, not his own, and not those of the NRA, Big Pharma, or the ‘Party’ above what is best for our country (note that this is not unique to Trump); a leader who does not want to use the office, but to serve.

We don’t need a leader who cheats, lies, insults, and has little respect for the office, the people he was elected to serve, or for those who are ‘disloyal’.

You may be asking, who am I to get up on my soapbox like this, especially as it will certainly ruffle some feathers?

I am not perfect, and I don’t have all the answers, but I am Christian, and believe that the only way we can move forward is together, by following the command of Christ to love one another…and ourselves, a message that transcends faith, religion, gender and politics!

I believe we need to offer more than ‘thoughts and prayers’ in the face of avoidable tragedies, like school shootings…we need to take action together, to make things better. However, in order to do so, we will need to put aside our differences and find common ground, and to do that we may just have to return to the idea of compromise: ‘to agree to disagree’.

That said, although some may see me as naïve, I refuse to dislike others simply because we disagree about politics. I don’t even hate Trump (though I do not think he should be President). I do not see how I can call myself a Christian and practice hate or foment division…so instead, I practice tolerance and acceptance (noting that it is often a case of progress and not perfection).

If we put aside our need to be right, and the desire to shut-down those who think differently from us, we can learn how to discuss our differences while embracing all that brings us together. For if we can find that common ground, we can form a foundation upon which we can learn from each other because of our differences!

And this will help us to face “The Fierce Urgency Of Now”, and build a better future for us all: no matter who we are, where we are from, who we vote for, what our faith is, or who we love; for the love and forgiveness of God is given to all as a free gift, which we are called to share with each other, regardless of faith, gender, politics, the size of our bank accounts, or who we love.

 

Change is Inevitable

It was a powder-blue leisure suit.   

It was made of thick polyester, with blue buttons with white borders (they looked like little white-wall tires), and even for the mid-70s it was a hideous outfit! When I complained to my mother, she pointed out that the suit was reversable, when inside out, it revealed a stunning (not in a good way) navy blue and white herringbone pattern!

Although I hated it, I still had to wear the suit to church every Sunday, because that’s what we did back then: on Sunday we got dressed up to go to church. It was unusual to see someone dressed casually for worship on a Sunday morning, and if anyone wore jeans, or left the tie at home, it would often set tongues to wagging!

Even during the heat of summer (with no air conditioning), everyone in their ‘Sunday-best’ and miserable, as there was no cross-ventilation! Even as a kid, it was hard to take, and it was not uncommon to see an older member simply pass-out in the pews and have to be taken out on a stretcher.

Back then, there was not as much music, beyond the three hymns and a choir anthem, the service was much more formal, and the sermons were very long and boring!

Times were different, it was the 1970’s, and we lived in a world where few people had cable TV, there was no public internet, if I wanted to make a phone call I had to use the one mounted on the wall in the kitchen (there was stool for specifically sitting on during phone conversations), or if I was out with friends, I’d better have some quarters for the payphone! Also, it was unheard of to have a computer, although my dad worked with one at the college, which filled up a large room!

Things have changed since then…

And while we can wax nostalgic about how things were “back in the day”, I can’t say that I miss thick polyester suits, nor do I miss life without cell phones, going on-line or laptops and tablets.

In college, I had to write papers on a Royal manual typewriter…lots of fun, especially when I made a mistake or wanted to change what I had written!

Change is a part of life, sometimes they are for the best, and sometimes they are not, but often it is a little of both! Regardless, change is seldom easy, and doesn’t come without some anxiety, or even pain!

While many of us have trouble accepting change, especially if we like the way things are already; it doesn’t need to be scary.  Even with the major changes we are facing here at St. Mark’s. These changes will not be easy ones, but we will get through them…together.

We have been blessed to have strong leadership during the life of our congregation, and Pastor Chuck is no exception. He has not attempted to lead by command but has shown a talent for inspiring people to become engaged in the life of the congregation and community!

When I was in seminary we were warned: if everyone in the congregation likes you, then you are probably doing something wrong. For the most part I agree with this, but I see Pastor Chuck as the exception. While he has never claimed to be perfect, it is clear that he practices his faith in all he does, and the compassion and commitment as a pastor has helped us avoid becoming mired in divisions and bickering that has as impacted other congregations.

Pastor Chuck has been a part of our congregation for over 20 years, and now that he is moving on, and while wish he and Kathy all the best. There is no doubt that we will miss Pastor Chuck’s leadership and friendship! However, his influence will stay with us, as together we have strengthened the ministry of St. Mark’s, both here in this building and out beyond these walls!

Through our ministry as a congregation we are reminded that we are the Body of Christ in the world, and walk in the light of God’s Grace, and in this light, we are given the gifts of faith and love and the tools we need to face whatever the next years will bring, and we will be stronger for it!

As Pastor Chuck moves on, so too will we, and we are going to be okay, as the story of St. Mark’s in our community and lives will continue…because we will be moving on together!

St. Mark’s has a history, rich in tradition, and in the ministry of making Christ known in our lives and in our community. And we will have a future, built upon this solid foundation of congregation, of faith and of the Gospel: the healing message of God’s love for us all!

Unlike polyester suits, payphones, and 8-track players, this love is one thing that will not fade away, and will never change!!