John Plummer has an interesting post, which I heartily recommend reading, criticizing the excess of clericalism in our movement, particularly all of the grand titles which people insist on using.
I work for a Quaker organization, and Quakers have a tradition of "plain speech" in which, among other things, they refuse to use titles of any kind, even to the point of children addressing their parents as "John" or "Mary" rather than "Dad" or "Mom". When we send out fundraising letters, they go to "John Smith" or "Mary Jones", not "Mr. John Smith" or "Dr. Mary Jones" or "The Right Reverend Anastasia Beaverhausen" (which begs the question of who might be the Wrong Reverend . . . ). The envelope will include a middle initial, with the salutation being the first and last names.
The practice has much to commend it. Although there is a time and a place for titles, I wonder what would happen if more Independent clergy would introduce themselves without titles most of the time, and let their ministry speak for itself, than insisting on being called "Father Zophar the Nephite" or "His Beatitude Alexander the Coppersmith, Patriarch of Sodom and Gomorrah and All Canaan"? Perhaps we could add this to John Plummer's Advent discipline.
And the Lord's Servant...
Last week I visited two seminaries, The Lutheran Theological Seminaries at Philadelphia and Gettysburg. In speaking with administrators, seminarians, and other prospective students, the subject of call invariably came up. We told our stories of God's call and how we envision that.
After returning home, my sense of the significance of call and God's preparation for that increased. I have a new awareness of being in a time of preparation. I know God called me at 15 to serve him. That service has taken on numerous forms: wife, mother, missionary, employee, student. But there is now a renewed sense of call, that God is working something special in my life. And then I read today's scripture from the lectionary.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 (Today's New International Version)
24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
I can see there's still lots of room for work in my life. I kind of like to argue, especially if I am right. So, if I want to be a worthy servant, no place for being quarrelsome. Kindness, gentle instruction is what is called for. Now the interesting thing about this text is that Paul is not saying we should let people continue in false beliefs, but gently engage them in the truth.Then I thought of an old song Nancy Honeytree sang in the 70s, "I am a Servant." The lyrics are below. I found myself weeping my way through them as I heard the song again in my mind. If we are the Lord's servants, we are to do his bidding, not our own.
I Am A Servant
I am a servant, I am listening for my name
I sit here waiting I've been looking at the game
That I've been playing and I've been staying much the same
When you are lonely you're the only one to blame
I am a servant, I am waiting for Your call
I've been unfaithful so I sit here in the hall
How can You use me when I've never given all
How can You choose me when You know I quickly fall
So You feed my soul and you make me whole
And you let me know You love me
And I'm worthless now but I've made a vow
I will humbly bow before You
Oh please use me, I am lonely
I am a servant, getting ready for my part
There's been a change, a rearrangement in my heart
At last I'm learning there's no returning once I start
To live's a privilege, to love is such an art
But I need Your help to start
Oh please purify my heart
I am Your servant
©Larry Norman
Words and Music by Larry Norman
http://www.higherpraise.com/lyrics1/I_Am_A_Servant.htm
[19 October 2007]
I know the verse that resonates with me, what about you?
Very Silly Post on what to call the Independent Movement
Some prefer Old Catholic or Independent Catholic or IC/OC, to use both. Some prefer Independent Sacramental Movement, ISM for short. I propose a new abbreviation to use:
E I E I O
Here's why:
Arnold Mathew had a church E I E I O
And in that church he made many bishops E I E I O
With a schism here with a schism there
Here a schism there a schism
Everywhere a schism schism
Arnold Mathew had a church E I E I O
Please feel free to submit additional verses in the comments.
E I E I O
Here's why:
Arnold Mathew had a church E I E I O
And in that church he made many bishops E I E I O
With a schism here with a schism there
Here a schism there a schism
Everywhere a schism schism
Arnold Mathew had a church E I E I O
Please feel free to submit additional verses in the comments.
Soli Deo Gloria
“I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him …”[1] is one description of Paul’s teaching on grace. Grace needs greater emphasis otherwise; we fall into works righteousness, believing that what we correctly or differently do ensures success.
It is all God’s work. We are saved by grace (Eph 2:5), “justified freely by his grace” (Rom 3:24), stand in grace (Rom 5:2) and commissioned by grace (Rom 1:5) for example. Good works follow God’s grace operating in our lives.
My church has trouble relying on God’s grace because many do not spend time with God, hearing his voice, reading his word to know his direction, let alone rely on him to work. Individuals and churches are incapable of connecting with society’s deep needs, apart from God’s empowering grace, meaning he alone is glorified. “… Bach … was sometimes commissioned to compose music for secular occasions… whether the composition was for worship or courtly entertainment, Bach usually signed his work S.D.G… Soli Deo Gloria, ‘to God alone the glory.’”[2] “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” (Rom 11:36). The work is God’s, accomplished by his grace.
[1] Martin Luther, “Small Catechism of Martin Luther,” in Evangelical Lutheran Worship (
[2] ELCA. Centennial Bible Study: Expanding Minds, Session 1. Online: http://www.elca.org/campusministry/celebrate100/pdf/biblestudy02.pdf [15 October 2007].
The Bible. New International Version.
Good Trees or Bad Trees?
This discussion regarded Natural Church Development and which of the eight quality characteristics was the most difficult to improve.
A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions (Mt 7:17-20).
Passionate spirituality is the lowest quality characteristic in most of
Questions in the survey that indicate the level of spirituality are, “Times of prayer are an inspiring experience for me”[1] and “I am enthusiastic about my church.”[2] Many Christians do not have as vital a prayer life as they should. Despite teaching, prayer meetings, Bible studies etc., can the leadership really know a person’s private devotional life? Our members are enthusiastic and deeply committed to our church, but how much spirituality is at home is debatable.
Schwarz states “… whether prayer is viewed as an ‘inspiring experience’ or not has a significant relationship to the quality and quantity of the church “[3] Results were similar concerning “personal use of the Bible and other factors affecting personal spirituality.”[4] A church cannot be any stronger than its weakest members. The church is made up of families and individuals and its health is dependent upon theirs.
However, each quality characteristic is crucial and should be present, passionate spirituality seems basic.
[1] Christian A. Schwarz,
[2] Ibid., 29.
[3] Ibid., 28.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church: Growth Without Compromising Your Message and
The Bible. New Living Translation.
What's Your Name?
We have all been called names, some good and some bad. I remember being called fat, difficult, insubordinate, careless, slow. What about you? Sometimes you aren't actually called a name, but treated in a way that implies you are careless, stupid, a screw up? It's painful. What does God say about names?
"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To those who are victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give each of them a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it" (Rev. 2:17).
Naming is very personal and intimate. We name our spouses, children, our pets. We have "pet names" for those we love: sweetie, honey, sweetheart. God names us, calls us beloved, my child, precious, holy and mine. Can you imagine the Lord having a special, pet name for us, that only he and we know?
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior" (Isaiah 43:1b-3a ESV).
What is your name? Is it God's name for you? We are who he says we are. And he doesn't just name us and forget us. He names us, walks with us, surrounding us with his love.
"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To those who are victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give each of them a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it" (Rev. 2:17).
Naming is very personal and intimate. We name our spouses, children, our pets. We have "pet names" for those we love: sweetie, honey, sweetheart. God names us, calls us beloved, my child, precious, holy and mine. Can you imagine the Lord having a special, pet name for us, that only he and we know?
"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you;
when you walk through fire you shall not be burned,
and the flame shall not consume you.
3For I am the LORD your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior" (Isaiah 43:1b-3a ESV).
What is your name? Is it God's name for you? We are who he says we are. And he doesn't just name us and forget us. He names us, walks with us, surrounding us with his love.
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