Disrupting the Status Quo - August 12

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 105:1-22; PM Psalm 105:23-45; 2 Samuel 15:1-18; Acts 21:27-36; Mark 10:32-45

I was reminded of one of my favorite jokes about church this morning.

A man attending an Episcopal for the first time is moved by
something the priest says and shouts "AMEN!".

The people around him all turn and stare. A while later again he is again moved by something the priest says, and again he shouts "AMEN!".

This time an usher comes down the aisle, gets the man's eye and waves his finger and nods his head "no...no".

A third time the man is so moved that he shouts "AMEN!"

This time the usher comes down the aisle, bends over and whispers to the man, "Sir, we don't do that here".

The man says "But I've got religion!"

The usher says "Well, you DIDN'T get it HERE!"

I can imagine this happening in lots of formal churches, especially Episcopal churches.  Oddly, one of the most significant sources of stress and conflict in church communities happens when people who don’t “fit in” begin showing up.  It happened at an old church of mine when members of the feeding program began showing up at church.  It happened in churches across the country in the 50s and 60s during desegregation.  And I’ve seen it play out similarly in the last fifteen years when churches have shared their worship space with people of different faiths and traditions.   

It should also be noted, that probably most of us know this is true and want to be as inclusive and welcoming as possible. But I had to chuckle when in the story of Acts, the Israelites seize Paul and drag him out of church (the temple) because he let those horrible Greek people into their sacred space. The Israelites saw the church as defiled because those who were different were in their space. This is so different from our ethic of radical inclusivity and yet if Scripture is to challenge our assumptions today, then I have to wonder who I am in the story and how this story is still played out in our common life and community.

New people, new ideas, and new cultures have always disrupted the status quo.  And they usually cause conflict.  I wonder if part of that is playing a role in worshiping differently or remotely, or the loss of things that were important to us without recognizing what gifts these new ideas (or people) bring. 

One observation would be that resistance to change is normal and expected.  The best thing we can do is be prepared to acknowledge that resistance and then resist normal behavior by trying to open.  Or maybe we should be more intentional about what we want to preserve while allowing the Spirit to guide us in what is necessary for growth or change.  It is a delicate balance, for sure.  Hopefully, it will end better than it did for Paul when he was thrown out of the temple.

John+

Questions for Self-Reflection:  Have you ever worshiped with people that made you feel uncomfortable?  Why?  Were you an outsider or insider in that experience?  Has your own perception of that experience changed over time?

Daily Challenge:  Invite a person who is different from you in some way to have coffee or lunch.  Make the appointment and mark it on your calendar!