When faith and politics collide

Our congregation is part of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (the ELCA), the largest Lutheran denomination in the US. Often I'm asked, "What does that mean? What authority does the ELCA have over St. John's?"

It's helpful to know a bit about church polity, ie, the way we're governed. Lutherans are both congregational (which means that we are legally independent non-profits with ultimate authority regarding issues of policy and procedures), and episcopal (which means that we find unity in our bishop, our church institutions, and our church-wide expression).

One of the things I love about being a Lutheran is our theological unity. Lutherans have been the world's great stewards of a theology of grace and our belief in a "priesthood of all believers." At the same time, our denomination makes room for a broad spectrum of those who would be socially conservative, liberal, and everything in between. We are at our best when we cling to our theological roots, while engaging in rich, respectful conversation around issues that matter, like race, sexuality, and immigration. We can approach these issues from different perspectives, as long as we first seek Jesus' high command to love God and love one another (Mark 12:30-31).

With all that in mind, let me share a few comments about last week's ELCA church-wide Assembly in Milwaukee. To be honest, church-wide gatherings receive very little attention (despite what we like to think), and that's certainly the case this time-around ... except when the ELCA passed a resolution claiming itself as a "sanctuary church" in regard to immigrants and refugees. Nothing terribly unusual. Christians have been a sanctuary church for 2000 years, clinging to a very distinct expectation to care for the stranger. No argument there.

Until Fox News got involved. During a 5 1/2 minute discussion -- which included no representative from the ELCA -- the four panelists ripped into the church's decision, saying that the church was asking its congregations to act illegally. Give me a break.

I hope you know me well enough that I value a variety of opinions -- political, theological and otherwise. But at the very least, let's get the facts straight. It was painfully obvious that the panelists had not read the statement and knew absolutely nothing about ELCA polity (see paragraph 1 above).

You and I might disagree about immigration issues. Hallelujah. Let's talk about it. But let's at least do enough homework to get our facts straight. With that in mind, the following links are helpful in better understanding the church's not-very-new statement about being a "sanctuary church."

1. ELCA talking points
2. An ELCA pastor responds to criticism

Interested in learning more? One of our members, Ted Goins, is the CEO of Lutheran Services Carolinas, which helps to resettle refugees in the Carolinas and advocate for just treatment of immigrants. We are hosting an open conversation with Ted on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 7 pm in the Faith Center. It's a perfect opportunity to gather around the table and learn from one another.

Which is something else I love about being a Lutheran: gathering around a table of grace.

On hate speech, refugees and more shootings

It's another day of grieving around the United States as two communities bury victims of two unrelated mass shooting in El Paso and Dayton. 

As we continue to sort through the details, three questions come to mind: 

1. Why is hate speech the root cause of so much tragedy? The Texan shooter spent months writing a manifesto that spews mean-spirited vitriol towards immigrants. It’s hard to read, and even harder to comprehend how someone could be filled with so much anger. One thing is certain: such anger/hate rarely lives in isolation. It’s frightening to know that others feel the same way. 

2. Politics can be brutal, and this isn't the first time politicians have hurled insults toward one another in the aftermath of tragedy. Regardless, are there any grown-ups in Washington? I'd sure like to hear from one. 

3. When will we learn the difference between immigrant and refugee? An immigrant is someone who chooses to resettle to another country. A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his/her home country because of war, genocide, etc. There is no doubt we have immigration issues that have to be brought under control. While we figure things out, let’s not leave refugees out in the cold. They are widely considered the most vetted group of people trying to enter the United States. Since the late 1940s, the Lutheran church has been at the forefront of resettling refugees in the US. So why is the administration proposing to slash refugee admissions to zero next year? It's a ludicrous idea that's contrary to any sense of Judeo-Christian values. The United States has a long history of embracing refugees with a different kind of compassion. Let's not stop now. 

Join me in prayer for our brothers and sisters in Texas and Ohio ... and for all of us as we find ways to be a more civil, faithful, forgiving, peace-loving society.

A fun 4th

I love the 4th of July. It's a great break in the middle of the summer, especially if it falls close to the weekend. There are loads of opportunities for cookouts, lake trips, fireworks, and time spent with friends. 

As a kid, our neighborhood pool always hosted a 4th of July party with crazy relay races and eating contests. The highlight was tossing a huge, greased watermelon into the deep end. Whoever pulled it out won some kind of prize. Um, not a very safe game .. but it was a blast. 

I've often heard about the textile mills closing for 4th of July week, which led many of the families to head straight for the beach. It was the highlight of the year, an annual excursion to Myrtle, Ocean Isle, or Carolina Beach. Kids met up with friends they'd only see that particular week of summer. Parents saved all year to cover necessary beach expenses like cotton candy, cheap T shirts, hermit crabs, bottle rockets, and rides at the Pavilion. 

I'm a sucker for tradition -- annual events/traditions/rituals that draw us together year-after-year. Whatever your tradition is this 4th of July, may you be blessed by the warmth of community, the delicious smell of grilled burgers and baked beans, and the joy of celebrating our nation's freedom. 

Singing at the top of your lungs

When do you stop singing songs at the top of your lungs? 

Pastor Laura and I are at Lutheridge this week with 17 confirmation campers. It’s been a great week, no doubt, and a wonderful time to experience these students on a different playing field. 

On the way to lunch, I heard counselors leading their campers in singing. Well, screaming mostly. At the top of their lungs, leading chants with hand motions and cheers. They were on the porch of the dining hall, but I’m sure their voices could be heard all the way down the mountain. Especially one counselor – Isaiah, I think – who had a particularly loud voice that started to crack by the end of the chant. The kids were going crazy. 

34 years ago I may well have been that counselor. Not that I was some crazy cool counselor or anything, but I do remember getting hoarse from singing at the top of my lungs. 

I wonder when that ended? 

I’m older, of course, so maybe that has something to do with it. More mature? Some days. Wiser? Definitely … and I’m glad for all that. I like being in this stage of life, with kids in different places, a job I love, memories of fun times in the past, and the anticipation of fun times in the future. 

But I have to admit that I miss singing at the top of my lungs, unfettered and totally free. Listening to Isaiah sing/scream, I wished I could go back to that place in time. 

That’s one of things I like so much about confirmation camp. Our 17 kids arrived with hesitation, maybe even some fear and trembling. They were anxious about meeting new people and worried about what others would think of them. But it’s Thursday, and, well, they’re starting to sing a little louder, dance a little crazier and laugh a lot harder. This morning, I saw Chris Kafitz totally let loose with a crazy man dance that made me laugh out loud. 

Sure, I miss that in myself, but I sure am glad to see it in others. Because our life and faith is something to sing about at the top of our lungs. And maybe even do the crazy man dance every now and then. 

Normandy, 75 years later

Today marks the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landing of June 6, 1944, ranked by many as the boldest and most successful large scale invasion in military history. On this one day, 160,000 Allied troops crossed the English Channel to successfully secure a beachhead on the coast of Normandy. They were supported by 7,000 ships and boats, and 5,000 landing and assault crafts. Within ten days there were a half a million troops on shore. Within three weeks, that number swelled to 2 million.

At our men's Bible study this morning, we learned that Don Duggan was a new 18 year old recruit exactly one year later, on June 1945. After a week of training (one week!), he was headed to Japan, where almost everyone was anticipating yet another invasion, what certainly would have been the largest amphibious invasion in history.

All but one of the men around the table (20 or so?) had a family member who fought in WW2, many of them part of the Normandy invasion. They spoke of Col. Robert Sink of Lexington, commander of the famous 506th parachute infantry regiment, the first men to land. Two months later, he was named commander of the 101st Airborne Division. Others spoke of Col. Thomes Ferebee, known as the man who dropped the first Atomic bomb, destroying Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, but saving the life of Don and millions of others, American and Japanese alike. Ferebee grew up on a farm in Mocksville and was the cousin of Joe Ferebee, the long-time baseball coach at Pfeiffer and good friend to men around the table.

For most, WW2 is a thing of history books. But for many of these men, June 6, 1944, was a day of vivid memory, after which brothers, uncles, and dads would soon be coming home.

I hate war, but I'm thankful for those who had the bold conviction to fight when war was necessary. Today, we remember their sacrifice and pray that someday God will bring peace to all the land, when even lion will lie with the lamb. What a day that will be.

Growing old .. and red wine

My favorite news magazine is The Week, a summary of news articles and commentaries from around the world. This week they shared a report from National Geographic about the secrets of longevity. Researchers pinpointed five areas -- called Blue Zones -- where residents made it to their 100th birthday at 10 times the rate of the general US population. Places like Sardinia, Italy; Okinawa, Japan; Ikaria, Greece; Nicoya, Costa Rica; and Loma Linda, California.

We would all do well to look closely at what researches say are the nine most important contributing factors: keeping physically active, maintaining a sense of purpose, taking time to relax/play, avoid overeating, plant-based diets, close family ties, socializing, drinking wine (1 or 2 glasses a day), and participating in a faith-based community.

Well there you have it. If you've ever wondered why you should come to church, now you know. Well, let's just claim it as "yet another reason." Staying active in your church, researchers tell us, cultivates a sense of purpose, protects against cognitive decline, boosts happiness, and may well be the secret to longevity.

It's all in the data. Oh, and a glass or two of red wine can't hurt.

Don't you just love working in God's Garden?

More shootings. Where's the leadership?

Two more mass shootings. Another young adult male arrested. 3 more deaths and 7 more injured. More "our prayers go with the victims" and, soon, more proposals to spend even more money (excuse me, reassign already-budgeted monies) securing public space.

Do we see an end to any of this?

One of the shooting victims in Charlotte was a friend of our communications specialist. One of the students present in the classroom is related to our children's minister. Even if there were no connections at all, the fact that UNCC is but 34 miles away is chilling.

But what hurt as much as anything was hearing the grim story of Lori Kaye, a member of the San Diego synagogue who courageously jumped between the shooter and her rabbi, a close friend. She later died in her husband's arms.

When will this end? The common thread to all of these shootings -- and there seem to have been a lot lately -- is hatred. White supremacists and

anti-Semites are easy to blame, and sure enough their brand of hatred has to be identified and called out on the national stage.

But there's more to it than that. Our increasingly violent culture (something Psychology Today has been writing about for years) is a mixed bag of mental health issues, TV and video game violence, domestic disputes (54 percent of shooting deaths are committed by intimate partners), our imprisonment philosophy, racial unrest, and the proliferation of guns, just to name a few. We'll wring our hands about all of them, but several weeks from now, little will change. Which, interestingly, is the street definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again while expecting different results.

We need leaders who heed the words of Moses in times of crisis and uncertainty: Now is the time to "be bold and courageous," he told the people of Israel (Deut. 31:6). I agree. Now is the time for bold and courageous leaders who set aside grand-standing and partisan bickering in order to find common ground and create viable policy. It's possible.

In the meantime, our prayers go with the victims, their families, and the UNCC, San Diego, and Jewish communities reeling from yet another senseless act of hatred. May God grant to them and all of us a "peace that passes all understanding" (Philippians 4:7).

A make-shift memorial at UNCC's Kennedy Building, where the shootings took place.