Meeting people where they are

This will be my fourth eligible time to vote for a Presidential Candidate. I don't admit it often but the last election I made the decision to opt out of voting for several reasons. I don't like to admit it because I felt like later that none of those reasons were an excuse to not at least exercise my right to vote as well as understand that my vote is no one else's business but mine and the algorithm that counts the ballots (well and of course God). 

Reasons I abstained from voting in the 2012 elections:

My voter registration --I didn't know where I was last register in the midst of moving to Florida and then Georgia while maintaining a Florida license and vehicle registration since I was in seminary. I didn't take the time to track it all down. 

My family-I felt a lot of pressure for choosing their candidate and that I would have to 'answer' to them about my choice to not go with their candidate or platform (the one I was raised in). I know how much pride they take in the country and even in their political party and how strongly they feel about the other candidate. 

I thought it didn't matter- Someone would be chosen no matter what and the state would be one way or another with or without my vote. So why stress out about making sure I either worked on my absentee application or went through the hassle of registering somewhere else. I thought my silence was a statement. And it was---to myself, to my own disappointment. And to know that will no longer be my narrative. 

There is something special about voting. It gives encouragement, it starts a dialogue, it ramps up issues and gets people really thinking (or at least that should happen for everyone). Voting gives me hope. It shows the importance of process. I learned in my time in seminary the importance as a pastor to be aware, be informed, and vocalize your opinion. Not to sway anyone to one side or another 1) not my job, or calling 2) that is a corruption of my power and position. But to not be afraid of others opinions, to speak truth, and to know that my political position is my right as much as it is someone else's right to think different than I do. 

I think election season is a very long and drawn out process that seems to get longer each year. I think that when we focus on the issues and are able to come together on the big stuff then Great things can happen. 

I met with several ladies of the church last night by the river to eat, fellowship, and then pray. Pray for our country, pray for our leaders, pray for the voters, and pray for whatever outcome to remember that a President is a part of a larger system and that we can be at peace with one another. That hope is still possible. That truth still exists. That friends and neighbors can reconcile after arguing over party position and what has been posted on social media. 

We have become judge and jury for so many things and have turned to guilty until proven innocent rhetoric through social media. But I have found my role is to observe, pray, and be there for both sides of the political ticket. Because my calling is to people. My calling is to serve the Democrat, Republican, Independent, undecided, or other. My calling is to serve Jesus and to strive to see all people as beautiful images of God. I have to meet people where they are in their political leanings and know that the ballots only determine a particular position of power for 4 years and we do it all again. 

Four years ago I just started seminary and I was learning so much about my call to ministry. Now I am serving a church as Associate Pastor and learning so much about my call to listen and be present. 

I know that it is a process and as a Presbyterian Church (USA) Pastor a vote was cast for me between so many committees, sessions, and a congregation to get me where I am today. People had to vote for me to be their Pastor just as I voted for someone to be my next President, as I voted for people to serve in State and Local Elections. As I voted for amendments. 

Voting is important because of a few things. 

   1. Many people fought hard for the right to vote

   2. This country has a system where the people can vote to elect their leaders

   3. So many people can't vote and their voice is heard through those that have the ability

May God's light shine through the darkness. May God's glory be shown in all that we do. May we see candidates and those who support our opposing party as children of God. May we find peace, reconciliation, and resurrection no matter what the outcome. 

Discernment as Worship

I have been in the process of being led by God to figure out where I am called to next. I started searching for a call over the last several months, knowing that graduation was ahead and my call to ordination meant that I would be seeking a church different from where I was currently serving. Through prayers and a few restless nights, I discerned that I needed to pick an end date at St. Andrews in order to fully focus on finding my next call. But it wasn't just that. My discernment and choice to say good-bye to St. Andrews before finding a taking a call elsewhere came from a few places.
1) I needed a healthy good-bye. I needed to shower my love on the people and be showered on in love by them. I needed the farewell to be joyous while knowing departing would be hard and very sad. I loved serving at St. Andrews for 3 years. I loved all ages of people and all the tasks that were set before me. I told them at the farewell luncheon that the countless hours would never be enough. I truly loved those people and I knew they loved me.

2) The church needed to be able to move on. We get so connected to our leaders. We fall in love with them and want to duplicate that love and place it on others. We, as people, feel abandoned, hurt, and afraid of what might come next. Because, let's be real, no one is ever like the predecessor. They needed a chance to start the process of calling the next Children and Youth Director and when they find that person, to be ready to extend that call and start the work. If I were sticking around until something better comes along then we would dance around each other trying not to hurt the others feelings. For either of us, missed chances, and the right person may not come along because we are too worried about finding a 'replacement' or 'carbon-copy' of the previous leader. The church needed a clear farewell so they can say hello with open arms.

3) I think the first two covered the reasons but a few implies more than two. Sabbath is another reason for finding that clear end date. Being able to completely separate from one call in order to leap into a new one. Being ready to say farewell to friends, place, and anything else requires some Sabbath. Many times, as leaders in the church, we forget what Sabbath might look like. Because we are shepherding others into finding rest and Sabbath for themselves. Sabbath doesn't just mean a break from worship or church life. But resting in God. Resting in God comes from worship, fellowship, and education. As church leaders however, we are constantly on during worship ready for the next step and thinking ahead instead of always being present in the worship moments. Sabbath for me in this time has been picking up a book about looking at scripture in other ways, through love. I have been reading Jake Meyers book, Making Love with Scripture. (Jake is a professor at Columbia Seminary). This book has been part of my Sabbath. I have been taking the time to soak it in and read it for myself, not because I'm in a class or a study. Sabbath also for me has been spending time with my family. My husband and son have been taking a long journey with me through waiting on marriage for three years and being married to/son of a stressed senior in seminary discerning what is next while finishing up.

So how is discernment worship?
  Thanking God for the opportunity to discern. As much as the process for being an ordained PC(USA) minister is exhausting. I have told family, friends, and strangers the lengthy process towards becoming ordained, I get winded just thinking about it right now. But how wonderful that so many people are a part of the saying "YES! You are called, we affirm that calling, and we are with you on the journey." How wonderful that I gave myself the opportunity to study God's word in Greek and Hebrew, to debate theology, to stretch myself beyond Western thinking and to discover the many ways that God molds and utilizes our gifts in order to serve the kingdom. How amazing that I said yes to seminary after being fearful of what that might mean. Thank you God for the people in my journey that affirmed me and let me make those decisions to follow God's will on my time.

 Pleading for God's help. Discernment process and the call process in the PC(USA) is a long road. Committees, Presbyteries, Pastors...oh my. I have spent a lot of time on my 'knees' (not really, that hurts) pleading for God's direction and guidance during this time. I have spent a lot of time in confession and intercession trying to figure out how to take each step of this process with grace, love, and joy. When a rejection comes, especially one that I feel would be a great fit, I am at a loss. I am hurt. But then through talking with others who are going through or have gone through the same process I remember that we are all discerning. Committees are doing their best to find the right person to come into their community of faith formation and worship and have a person in mind. I am also pleading for me to hear the right now, not just the convenient call. God is preparing a place for me somewhere. I need to be ready, but I also need to be patient. (WHAT IS PATIENCE? How can I plan for patience?) I am constantly in prayer that I not only find the right place for me but also the place where my family can flourish. Where my family will be welcomed in love. Where they see a future as much as I do.

Finally, discernment is worship because it is not done in a vacuum or alone. I cannot discern where God is calling me by myself. Just as no one person discerns the right person to be their pastor or associate pastor, it takes community. "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." (Matthew 18:20) Worship happens in communion with God and with others. Worship is intricate as well as simple. Worship is done with God as well as for God. Worship invokes and is desperate for the work of the Spirit not only to dwell but to invite and transform those who gather in God's name. 

As I am still in the process and journey of discernment for a call to Associate Pastor (in some form) I know I am gathered with many who are discerning. Not just discerning a call to ordered ministry but discerning so many different types of decisions. God has been with us every step of the way, we just need to be open to what God is saying in a still, small voice, in a mighty wind, and everything in between. 
  Amen. 

Video from Luke 1 Performance

A group of adults from my congregation St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Tucker, GA rehearsed for 7 weeks. Collaborating on how the script (the entire chapter of Luke 1--80verses) would be staged and heard. Through acting exercises, reading commentaries, reading the script (scripture) and rehearsing the participants became actors creating a performance that glorified God. They became preachers and performers in those weeks of rehearsal and the performance on December 13, 2015. I hope you enjoy the performance as much as I did.



This was part of my Honor's Project for seminary, PERFORMANCE AS PROCLAMATION. Oral interpretation of scripture, with the work of an ensemble, through the experience of performance, and enlivened by the Holy Spirit, is proclamation.

If you would like to know more about how to perform scripture as part of, or all of, the proclamation let me know.

Link to document of Luke 1 script

Video for Mark's Parables

A brave group of young people worked through the text of Mark's Parable over the course of 4 weeks. They performed these parables alongside a sermon. The group thought about having a storybook projected during the performance. They made the performing and editing decisions under my direction.

This was part of my Honor's Project for seminary, PERFORMANCE AS PROCLAMATION. Oral interpretation of scripture, with the work of an ensemble, through the experience of performance, and enlivened by the Holy Spirit, is proclamation.

If you would like to know more about how to perform scripture as part of, or all of, the proclamation let me know.

Script of Mark's Parables used in video