Some questions I continue to ask...

The poet, Mary Oliver, put it like this in something she calls, “THE MAN WHO HAS MANY ANSWERS.”

The man who has many answers

is often found

in the theaters of information

where he offers, graciously,

his deep findings.

While the man who has only questions,

to comfort himself, makes music.

In this spirit, let me ask:

+ Why aren’t there any church songs about the dangers of living without gratitude?  My experience is clear:  often the people who are most demanding in a faith community are also the least generous – and the people who complain the most tend to do the least – and those who might benefit the most by being in relationship with others usually choose to stay away.  What’s up with that?  Jesus was clear that we discover his presence in the least of these my sisters and brothers – so we have a clear calling to care for the walking wounded among - AND he also told us that sometimes you just have to shake the dust off your sandals and let people experience the consequences of their choices – especially those unwilling to return thanks.  A lack of gratitude for God’s abiding grace pollutes the individual heart and keeps a congregation distracted from real ministry.

+ Why are most of the people who celebrate the arts in a faith community often the most compassionate?  I’m not saying that engineers and scientists and lawyers don’t love the arts – clearly they do – and I don’t mean to imply that they aren’t compassionate – clearly they are.  But my experience suggests that those who are committed to celebrating and creating art are often those whose hearts are broken by the pain of living and also those who want to help the most.  I’ve seen this over and over again:  they are tireless and selfless and touched in ways that elude others.  Why do you think that is true?  Or do you think that is true?

+ Why is it that most congregations still don’t get the fact that if they want a strong youth program we must first train the adults?  How many times have I heard it said, “The children are the future of the church?”  Well, this is true only if they have been nourished and prepared to become disciples – and that doesn’t happen by accident.  And it certainly doesn’t happen if the adults aren’t living in a consciously faithful way that is visible and real.  Perhaps it is less demanding to pay somebody else to do a ministry with children, but it is not effective.  No, the only way to raise up a living crop of compassionate and creative Christian children, is to help moms and dads grow in faith and commitment.  Everything else is a waste of time and a distraction.

+ Why are the simplest Church programs often the most satisfying?  Think potlucks and the fellowship and discussions that flow from them.  Tonight we had a “potluck harvest dinner” – this is New England, after all – and about 60 people showed up.  After supper, we played bingo and the children had a ball.  No video games. No high tech nothing. Just adults and children sitting side by side, laughing, telling stories, enjoying homemade desserts and having fun.  An old street evangelist once told me, “Man, the only thing we have to offer the world that they can’t get any other place is Jesus.”  I have always believed this was true and being Christ’s people in gentle, simple ways is more attractive than all the glitz and technology.  Most people don’t believe this, but time and again I’ve seen it to be true.

Well, enough questions: I guess it is time to go listen to some music… (or actually head to bed.)