Sports Metaphors and Ecumenism

On this "Reformation Day," let's keep praying for unity. There is a lot to be said to this, but, for now, we can just laugh.

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When Things Get "Wild"

Where the Wild Things Are is a good movie. I anticipated its release, since I, like so many of my generation, grew up reading Maurice Sendak's tale of Max and his wolf pajamas. The film adaptation did not disappoint me, although it did wake me up to the rather sad message that the author was working to convey.

Max, a little boy who lives with his mother and older sister, has a vivid imagination, and he spends much time alone, dreaming his dreams. One night, when his mother has a boyfriend over, Max throws a tantrum and bites his mother. He runs away - in his wolf PJs - and discovers a boat that he sails to a strange island. The island is inhabited by the wild things, who themselves are watching one of their own throw a tantrum because another wild thing has gone off to be with her "other friends." It is clear that "Carol" wants the wild things to stay together as one united group, and the apparent loss of this one upsets his sense of calm and control.

Max enters and convinces the wild things (who at first want to eat him) that he is a wise king, who "can make everything better." The wild things - who are melancholy monsters - are temporarily lifted in spirit by their new "king." Max follows Carol to his secret cave, where he has a model of how he wishes things were, and Max says that they all can do it - make everything the way they want it and nothing bad ever will happen. They set to work.

Trouble comes when "K.W." decides to leave again and it becomes apparent that things are not going to be the way Carol envisions them. They realize that Max is not a king and the group falls into chaos again. K.W. explains to Max how hard it is to live with Carol's tantrums and his desire for control over others' lives, and Max seems to understand now what his home life is like for his mother. It is time for him to stop being a wild thing and go home.

It's interesting to see the wild things' desire for the king to make everything perfect for them and then their anger at him when it doesn't happen. It's a lot like how we tend to treat God. We want Him to make everything the way we want it and don't consider the rest of God's people with whom we exist. Then, when things aren't going our way, we dismiss God as a childish illusion. "If God were real there'd be no hunger." "If God were real, children wouldn't be born disabled." "If God were real my life wouldn't suck like it does."

The truth is, God doesn't hover over us like a master chess player, moving us as He wishes. Rather, we have freedom to choose our actions and then to live with the consequences. Sometimes we are "wild things"; sometimes God allows us to be. However, it is a sign of His love and trust in us that He allows us to choose our paths and walk them - even when they lead us away from Him. He is always there - waiting, like Max's mother - anticipating our return from the wild rumpus. Our role is to realize that life is not perfect and that we are all in this together. We can't make everything the way we want it, but if we search our hearts, together, we can help make it the way God wants it.

Don't Laugh...

Click the image for a larger view.

What's So Scary About "The Raven"?

Edgar Allan Poe has provided tales of the macabre and spooky that have endured to today. "The Tell-Tale Heart," and "The Fall of the House of Usher" have creeped me out since I was in high school. However, there is one that is particularly enduring for many people, and it is often the identifying story for this author. But, what's so scary about "The Raven"? No, it's not the horrid secondary of Baltimore's gridiron team (although I watch in horror there too); rather, there is something in that poem that speaks to our fears.

The fear here, I think, is that of loss and the loneliness that comes from losing someone. The poor narrator of the poem is sitting in his chamber, alone with his memories of his "lost Lenore," and he cannot wait for the night to be over and day to shake him from that solitude. The raven comes as a reminder to him of how lonely he really is - that "nevermore" will his life be the same - that he is alone, and could be forever.

We are taunted by this thought too. Those who have known the death of a loved one can certainly sympathize with the agonizing hours at night when the full weight of one's loneliness sits on them like so many "quaint and curious volumes of forgotten lore." Those who have experienced divorce know the fear that things will nevermore be like they were, like they envisioned them growing up. Those who lose their first love can feel like that "beak in their heart" will never be taken away.

We all fear loss - loss of love, friendship, control, life - and we all want to see a time when things will be better, or all right again. The remedy for loss is hope. God gives us the ability to hope - not necessarily for a time when "all will be wonderful again." But "there is a balm in Gilead," and God empowers us with His grace and this theological virtue to know that life goes on, and that loss is never permanent in the grand scheme of our eternal life. We don't have to listen to the raven, perched so cruelly above our chamber doors. Hope can extinguish those "fiery eyes now burned into our bosoms' core." For life does go on...

Evermore.

Indefatigable Faith

Linus is the preacher of the Charlie Brown gang. He's the one who reminds them all - and us - of what Christmas is all about. He seems to have a solid sense of perspective (while his sister seems to be the one profiting from her "psychiatry" stand!). Linus is the one who draws us out of our materialism and self-absorption and sets our minds on something bigger. Where does this come from for him? It's not too clear; all I know, is that he has that "God sense" - that a priori "hard wiring" that all human beings have to tell us that there is Something more than just what our limited humanity can grasp.

His faith in the Great Pumpkin is indefatigable. Even when he is chewed out by Sally and ridiculed by the rest of his friends, he remains faithful - and even more, he promises still to "put in a good word for them." This is such a true faith, such that God looks for from us: that even amid disappointment and ridicule we can still remain faithful and charitable.

Who Can Stop Him?

OK,

here we go!

I've finally caught up

with Him -

this One Who is

always "on the go."

From Capernaum,

through Galilee,

to the shore of the sea,

and beyond;

back to Capernaum,

and even to His

native place...

always on the go.

"Let's go!" I say.

"I will follow."

And we are not alone.

Finally:

action!

Finally,

we are moving,

and He is leading.

And now...

He stops.

What?

Why are we stopping, Lord?

All that momentum,

and here we are stopping.

For what?

For whom?

This beggar?

This blind man?

This sinner?

Who is he

to stop this train?

What does he think he is doing?

Crying out like that?

Shhhhhhhh! We all say.

"Can't you see we are

on the go too?"

"Call him," He tells us.

"Call him to Me."

Oh.

Okay...

"It's alright,

He wants you

to come.

Don't be afraid."

The man leaps up

and his cloak is thrown aside -

along with his alms,

all he had.

And he comes'

and he sees!

"Go on your way,"

He tells the man.

But now,

that way is no longer just "his."

It is "His" way,

and he is following -

on the go -

just like us.

The Imperfections That Make Us Perfect

Singapore has a program called "Think Family" that promotes strong, healthy families as an outreach of its "Ministry of Community Development," Youth and Sports." As part of that effort, they produced the commercial below that celebrates those who are "perfect" for us - because of their imperfections. It's a heart-string tugger, but it makes its point: none of us is perfect; and that makes us perfect for each other. Grab a Kleenex if you must, and watch.

They Already Got One?

With the Vatican and Canterbury's announcement regarding our churches' connections, I ask: Will they join us on this sacred quest?

The Boy Who Lived and Jesus

Harry Potter's mother, Lily, sacrificed her life out of love to save her son. Voldemort's killing curse struck her dead. Her sacrifice might have seemed foolish to the Dark Lord, since once she was out of the way, her baby was completely vulnerable. However, as Dumbledore explained, her loving sacrifice was "magic" that Voldemort could not understand. It left it's mark, and that protection is very powerful. When Voldemort finally set out to kill Harry, the curse rebounded on himself. Such a sacrificial love could not even enter the mind of the evil one.

Likewise, Jesus - God's only Son - entered into our history, took on our humanity while remaining God, and took on the full brunt of sin's force. He died for us, and the devil never saw it coming. Even now that Christ has returned to the Father, we are not without his protection. God's grace remains with us and we have the ability to resist the devil and avoid sin. When Jesus took on the power of death it rebounded in life for him - and for us. Now, we celebrate this life in our relationship with Christ through our baptism. Jesus, the "man who lived," has made us the people who live.

Odd Couples

The last pair of traits in the Kiersey-Bates personality type model is "judging" and "perceiving." This last pair will sometimes remind one of the "odd couple," and maybe you'll see why.

Judging types are those who live in a planned and orderly way; they love structure, schedules, lists, and efficiency. Judgers don't deal well with interruptions or wrenches thrown into the works. They look for closure and control in their projects, and they like to have things settled. On a negative side, they tend to be rather rigid and inflexible. Mary Poppins is a classic judging type. He policy of "a place for everything, and everything in its place" just screams "high-J."

The perceiving type, on the other hand likes spontineity and new experience. Flexibility is one of their good traits, and they can have many projects going at the same time with no stress over it. They are more about the "process" rather than the result. A possible example could be Princess Giselle from Enchanted. Her experience of going through the portal into the "real world," doesn't seem to phase her too much, as she goes with the flow and continues her life rather well. She adapts as she goes.

These two, as with the others, can work together, despite what Oscar and Felix would have us believe. In fact, in ministry, we need each other. Judging types need perceivers to help them relax and be patient during a process; judgers can help keep folks on track and on schedule. AS leaders of all sorts of types, ministers to youth might find some difficulty in dealing with young people who are different in this regard. Those who "go with the flow" when we need a rigid structure might frustrate us; those who need definite answers when we like keeping options open can seem "pushy."

Recognizing that it takes all types to move our ministerial machine can help us to deal with these differences, as well as help us all see the diversity of gifts and talents that are before us.

Confession Tutorial

"Bless me, Father, for I have sinned...uh, how does the rest go? I kinda forgot how to do this."

I'll often hear this in confession. I usually tell the person, "Well, you just did start. Keep going; you're doing fine."

Then again, there's this way:

Thinking with Our Mind - and Heart

I want to continue talking about personality types and temperaments in ministry. I've already discussed introverts & extroverts and intuitives & sensors. The third pair for the Kiersey-Bates sorter are the "thinkers" and "feelers." Again, people to and with whom we minister possess their characteristics, so understanding them is useful.

First, thinkers are just that - they think. In making decisions, they tend to be more impersonal and rely strictly on logic and facts. They place a high value on objectivity and consistency, and they strive for fairness across the board. They don't deal well with emotions and feelings, and often hurt others' feelings (although not purposely). They can be detached and usually do not take things personally. Mike Wazowski, from Monsters, Inc., is a good example of a thinker. He finds comfort in what is logical and the rules provide a good objective guide for him. He would just as soon ditch "Boo" for the sake of a normal, orderly life.

Feelers, on the other hand, strive to see all sides to a story. They value decisions made with the gut and heart over those of the head. They are "people persons," and consider others' feelings when making decisions. Personal values are more important than facts, and "being true to oneself" is of great importance. Maid Marian of Robin Hood shows the traits of a feeler. She knows the rules, as a member of court, but her compassion and feelings helps her to care for the poor children who sneak into her garden to play.

As with the other couplings, thinkers need feelers and vice-versa. Feelers help thinkers to persuade others, rather than to bully. They can help thinkers to see the effect their choices might have on others' feelings and to help them to plan accordingly. Thinkers, conversely, can help feelers to organize and analyze, as well as to be consistent in act and thought. The challenge to a feeler would be be more detached and not to take things so personally - especially constructive criticism. For a thinker, one might consider asking them to praise someone else, looking for the good, even in a "bad" situation.

Can I Drink the Cup?

Surely, this must count for something.
I've been with Him
from the start.
He called to our boat,
and we followed.
That must mean something.
Certainly,
one request
is not too much.

We've been given power
over spirits;
we've cured the sick,
and healed the blind,
and cast out the demons.
Of course, we have the right to ask.

But what's this?
Complaints?
From whom?
Them?
Ones who came after me?
Sure,
I can drink the cup -
after all,
it's His.
I will be baptized,
just like Him.

"You don't know what you are asking,"
He says.
I certainly do.
I want to be near Him -
forever.
I want to share in His life.
Surely, this must count for something.

But to be first,
He tells us,
to be near Him,
where do we go?
We must be last.
Last???
The servant of all?
Does He know what He is asking?
Is that how we get near to Him?
That means
becoming insignificant -
the opposite of what we asked.

But...
He is always there -
with the least,
in the last places.
It seems important to Him.
I guess
I will pay attention.

Sure, this must count for something.

Just the Facts - "Facts, Schmacts!"

On Wednesday I started talking about the Kiersey-Bates temperaments and how they relate to ministry and cooperation in ministry. The first set of "attitudes" are the introvert/extrovert dichotomy. Now, one can have a little of both, but one generally manifests itself at any given time, and a lot of people show a general trend toward one. The second pair of attitudes are "intuitives" and "sensors."

Intuitives gather their information from a sort of "sixth sense." They are imaginative and innovative, preferring to work with abstractions and to make connections between ideas. They tend to be very idealistic, and they enjoy new challenges and problems, facing them, usually, with new ways of solving them. Peter Pan is a good example of an intuitive personality, with his world that is full of imagination, where his feet rarely touch the gound.

On the other hand, sensors gather their data from facts - things that can be experienced with their senses. They are very practical, hands-on and realistic, and they much prefer the actual and present to the "possible" or imagined. Folks like this work best in a routine, with details and specifics spelled out for them, and if it's tried-and-true, even better for them. Eve, from Wall-E, is a good example of such a trait (even if she isn't human). He dedication to "the directive" and no-nonsense way of exploring her surroundings - as well as her impatience with Wall-E at times, show off the sensor type very well.

Again, in our ministries, we encounter (and are) these two types as well. Intuitives need sensors to bring up pertinent details, but sensors should not overtax them with details. Intuitors bring a good sense of the "big picture," if not the practical steps to achieve it - that's the sensor's role. Sensors need intuitives to bring up new, unseen possibilites and to provide the energy to bring them out.

For us as leaders, it is important, for example, to keep an intuitive young person grounded in the practical side of achieving what they are so good at dreaming up. Also, we should challenge our sensors to look for new ways of going about our projects and ministries (sometimes the larger Church can use this help too!). The two are not opponents; rather they are necessary sides to our important coin of ministry together.

Noddin' My Head Like Yeah

Miley Cyrus' latest single, "Party in the USA," is a metaphor for young people and shared faith.

A bit of a stretch? Okay, maybe it isn't, but the story narrated by the song can say a lot to young people about fitting in and the connecting power of our faith. To wit, Miley sings about leaving Nashville for the flashiness of LA. She is nervous, uncertain and a little scared. Everyone seems to have it together, and "everyone seems so famous." It speaks to the normal adolescent challenge of finding one's place in a larger world and fitting in. Is there no safe place for her? No comfort?

My tummy's turnin'
and i'm feelin' kind of homesick
Too much pressure and I'm nervous
That's when the taxi man turned on the radio
And a Jay-Z song was on

Her experience of hearing something loved and familiar - like the Jay-Z or Britney song - gives her a sense of normalcy in the midst of that "scary" big world. I think about the young people to whom I am blessed to minister at the university, as well as youth groups in churches all over. In a world where so much is image based and superficial, the challenge to fit in but maintain one's identity is very real. However, in an environment of shared faith (like hearing a familiar song), young people find a welcome and a connection - no matter where they come from - rich or poor, black or white, Nashville or LA, nerd, prep, or jock. Faith connects us across all those lines, and it makes us one.

So feel free gang -

So I put my hands up
They're playin' My Song
The butterflies fly away
Noddin' my head like yeah
Movin' my hips like yeah
I got my hands up
They're playin' my song
I know I'm gonna be ok
Yeah It's a party in the USA!

Picking Disciples

Following up on yesterday's post about introverts and extroverts, many people are surprised when I tell them that I myself am an introvert. "How do you get up in front of all those people and preach, Father?" people ask me. Their implication being that one must be more extroverted in order to "get in front of people." However, I do need time to "recharge" afterward.

In fact, many priests I know are introverts. Because people often only see us when we are "on," the perception might be that we are extroverts. Certainly, there are many extroverted priests too, and that is good. What this points me to is the fact that ministry is bigger than any one person or personality. For me, my introversion means that I can look to others around me to be "out front," while I remain in a more reflective, supportive role. In our youth groups and parishes, there are people of both dispositions. We need each other. Jesus knew this. He chose disciples that were as varied as they could be - smart, practical men; impulsive, big-mouthed guys; busy, organized women; prayerful, quiet gals. Together, they were the Church.

Together, we are too. There is time to speak and act, and - significantly - there is time to pray. Jesus knows that this is necessary, and he chooses us to be about his ministry now.

What Sort Do You Have?

In the summer, I help out with a leadership program here in Baltimore for high school kids. As part of that program, we have the young people fill out the "Kiersey-Bates Temperament Sorter," in order to help them understand their strengths and styles of leadership. Now, I am not one who enjoys these "evaluative tools," but they can be helpful - provided we don't allow then to completely encapsulate or define us. So, what sort of young people are you working with? Who are your classmates? How do you all get along? Understanding personality attitudes can help us all.

First, there is the "introvert-extrovert" dichotomy. These traits have much to do with where one gets one's energy and what one does with it.

An introvert finds their energy in their inner world, in thoughtfulness and reflection. They will process internally, then speak or act. They prefer a one-on-one interaction to groups and do best with ideas or concepts (things to think about). Introverts need a good deal of solitude - quiet space for concentration, reflection and work. A good representation of this character trait would be Ariel from The Little Mermaid, who is nowhere to be found when her sisters are entertaining their father. Rather, she is off collecting her own treasures and dreaming for the "world above."

Extroverts, on the other hand, are energized by the world around them. They most often talk or act, then think. They process externally (in other words, they "think out loud"). They are looking for interaction and groups, and prefer working with people and things. They deal with variety and action well. The Genie from Aladdin is a great example of an extrovert.

Both of these characters are helpful, and you almost never find a group without some of each. The introverts may seem like the quiet, shy ones, but there are deep thoughts going on there. They are processing what they see and hear, and often have great insights to share. For the youth minister who recognizes this, it might be helpful to talk to them one on one and then later to help them draw out of themselves by saying, "Sara, you had an interesting thought on the Gospel last week. Could you remind me what that was?" For the extrovert, it might require some mental gymnastics, but listen as they process, and respond like, "Well, Tim, what it sounds like you are saying is..."

Both extroverts and introverts bring a wealth of gifts to out youth groups and ministries. Some are often not heard because of the others. It is helpful to challenge introverts to "step up" and encourage them to "bring a friend." Conversely, it is also useful to notice what others are saying or doing. With both types, we have a ton of youths with the treasures stored up and the energy to share it with others.

Find Meaning in Yourself, Not What You Do

I will admit this first: I am very stung by the Ravens' loss to Cincinnati yesterday. Argh! Okay, now that that's out of my system, I need to rant about one of their players: Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson. Rather, there's an attitude here that I want to address (no one likes "rants"). He is a very talented football player, and my beef with him is not about the fact that he is a star player on a division rival. Rather, my problem is his name - which he has legally changed to "Ochocinco" to match his jersey number, 85. I will be blunt: it is ridiculous.

What this points me to, however, is something that is a problem for a lot of people in our society, and most particularly men. The problem is defining oneself not by who you are - by your character and the value of your relationships - but by what you do. This lends itself to a society that places value on a person based on their "usefulness," or "contribution."

"Eightfive" (to use his English name) might be a good football player, but he remains a man reaching for meaning. He might seem to have it all, but he still comes up lacking. When he is retired and no longer playing, he will be forgotten, and the value that he possesses inherently as a human being will be all he has.

Hopefully, he will realize it by then.

What's Lacking for Me?

"Just one thing,"

He says.

I am lacking in one thing.

But,

oh!,

what a thing!

How can I live up

to such a demanding Teacher?

I've done it all -

the commandments,

the Law -

since my youth.

Surely,

that is enough?

I was so ready

to follow.

So ready to be a disciple,

to be His.

All,

except for that

one,

little,

thing.

So I walked away.

I can still feel his stare,

still see his eyes,

so full of love,

looking deep into me.

Surely,

He knows my heart.

Surely,

He knows my desire.

He knows I am sad,

for I have so much.

Is it that easy?

His eyes stay with me -

loving me?

So, what do I do now,

having walked away?

Is there a way back?

I can't keep these things forever.

Maybe I can surrender?

Maybe I can return?

Yes.

Maybe I can.

Just one thing is lacking.

Belonging Makes Us Strong

Jake Martin, SJ, sees in popular television a struggle that young people are facing - a struggle that is as basic as their need to breathe - the need to belong. In shows like "Gossip Girl" and "Glee," he sees the power of friendship as being able to help young people become bigger than they are through shared experience. It's a lot like faith - faith that is shared. Here's a bit of his article in America:

Because of its relative youth and the inherent parameters imposed upon it by the musical-comedy genre, “Glee” cannot explore the teenage experience the way “Gossip Girl” can. Yet because the show centers on a group of marginalized high school students, certain existential reverberations are inevitable. The teenagers of “Glee” fashion their identities through their vocation as singers and through the in-school communities they have created. As glee-club members, they have their first taste of autonomy and self-respect. Soon the club becomes their sanctuary. All the characters are stereotypes: the jock, the sassy black girl, the effeminate boy. All are faced with their own set of obstacles imposed from outside, yet all manage to flourish in spite of the alienation they feel, firmly entrenched as they are in both their love for music and their commitment to one another. The jock is harassed by his cronies for taking part in the group, yet he refuses to back down. Like every other aspect of the show, the potential for offering a more sophisticated account of the high school experience lies within reach of the talented writers of “Glee.”

When the gimmickry, lacquered sheen and musical numbers are stripped away, both “Gossip Girl” and “Glee,” though flawed, provide startlingly authentic accounts of the most primitive needs of contemporary adolescents. Both shows examine the oft-tread territory of teens’ almost pathological desire to belong. Yet neither stops there; instead both dig deeper to find out what fuels that urgent need. The answer both shows provide is rooted in the adolescent desire to be in relationship, to be part of a community and to be heard outside the constraints of the family model, which leads to the first signs of an adult identity.

Keeping It Real

My cousin posted this video on Facebook the other day:

The LORD God said: "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable partner for him." So the LORD God formed out of the ground various wild animals and various birds of the air, and he brought them to the man to see what he would call them; whatever the man called each of them would be its name. The man gave names to all the cattle, all the birds of the air, and all the wild animals; but none proved to be the suitable partner for the man. So the LORD God cast a deep sleep on the man, and while he was asleep, he took out one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. The LORD God then built up into a woman the rib that he had taken from the man. When he brought her to the man, the man said:

"This one, at last,
is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh;
This one shall be called 'woman,'
for out of 'her man' this one has been taken."

God saw that "it was good."

Why can't we?

He Emptied Himself

This semester, we've been doing a series that I've called "Reasons for Our Hope," which looks at various items of our faith and the reasons why we profess them. So far, we've looked at God's Revelation, Interpretation of Scripture and the Trinity. Last night, we covered Jesus Christ. I was presenting the famous hymn from Philippians 2:6-11, regarding the Lordship of Jesus:

Though he was in the form of God,
[Jesus] did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.
Rather, he emptied himself,
taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness;
and found human in appearance, he humbled himself,
becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.
Because of this, God greatly exalted him
and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus
every knee should bend,
of those in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess
that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

One of the young people asked what it meant that Jesus "emptied" himself, in this context. First, I explained that this was the condescension of God, to become human; but, I didn't want to give to impression that Jesus lost any of his divinity, so I said that he remained God. It was more of a metaphorical emptying, to be seen in a lower "estate" than what his true person was. Grasping for a comparison, good old Disney came to my aid (or, perhaps, it was the Holy Spirit building on that nature!). I gave this example.

You know how in Aladdin, Princess Jasmine was a young woman who wanted to experience more for herself? She enjoyed all the privilege and power of the palace life, but she still felt trapped. So, she sneaked out, putting on a commoner's cloak, and walked among the people in the marketplace. She still had all the power and personhood of the Princess, yet she now was seen as just another person in the market. She could relate easier with people for the time that she was "emptied."

The comparison worked. However, like any analogy, it is still short of the reality that I wanted to explain. Nevertheless, it does help to illustrate what theologians call kenosis - the divine "emptying" for the sake of our salvation. In this action (described in the Philippians hymn), God comes to us in human likeness, teaches us about true obedience to God's will, and through the Paschal Mystery brings us salvation and redemption. In this action, Jesus is thus exalted and proclaimed as "Lord" (the very title of God) for the glory of God. This proclamation is ours, through faith in Christ, and it is how we come to salvation and how we glorify God properly as Christians.

"I Wasn't Listening"

I love it.

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Inertia

An old friend from home send me this article from the Wall Street Journal yesterday. The author uses "church" as an example of an institution that allows inertia to get in the way of growth, and he suggests some problems that need addressing. This is meant to illustrate a larger problem, especially with businesses, but he makes some points that we as "church" should think about ourselves. He is clear "the problem with organized religion isn't religion, but organization." So, before we get too defensive that our faith or faiths are under attack, let's realize that the doctrine of faith is not at issue; rather, it's how we go about presenting that doctrine. It's a good problem to ponder, because, I think, the answers can lead us to a more effective ministry and help to bring the Gospel to more people who simply aren't wired to hear it in the same way anymore. Here's an excerpt from the blog:

If organized religion has become less relevant, it’s not because churches have held fast to their creedal beliefs—it’s because they’ve held fast to their conventional structures, programs, roles and routines. The problem with organized religion isn’t religion, but organization. In the first and second centuries, the Christian church was communal, organic and unstructured—a lot like the Web is today. It commanded little power (it couldn’t raise an army or depose a monarch), but had enormous influence. (The Christian church grew from a handful of believers in AD 40 to 31 million adherents by AD 350, roughly half the population of the Roman empire. ) Today many mainline denominations are institutionally powerful, but spiritually moribund—at least in the U.S.

What’s true for churches is true for other institutions: the older and more organized they get, the less adaptable they become. That’s why the most resilient things in our world—biological life, stock markets, the Internet—are loosely organized.

To thrive in turbulent times, organizations must become a bit more disorganized—less buttoned down, less uptight, less compulsive, less anal.

As a start, you’ll need to become more alert to the things that reflexively favor the status quo in your own organization. While no one’s going to stand up and say, “I’m on the side of inertia,” they may nevertheless defend management processes that reflexively favor the status quo.

All of the things that allow little organizations to grow into big ones—scale, learning effects, and accumulated expertise—are products of repetition. When the environment changes, however, the returns to repetition start to diminish. Problem is, old habits die hard, particularly when they’ve been hardwired into a company’s management processes.

–Hiring criteria that over-value “expertise” and under-value diverse life experiences.

–A planning process that institutionalizes orthodox thinking by using industry standard definitions of customer segments and product categories

–Decision-making bodies that are comprised mostly of long-serving industry veterans who tend to discount new views.

–Highly conservative budgeting criteria that starve unconventional projects of resources by demanding near certain returns, even when the funds involved are modest.

–A single approval track for new projects, where every new idea has to go up the chain of command.

–Large, monolithic organizational units built around a single, dominant, business model.

–A highly optimized but inflexible IT infrastructure.

Large organizations don’t worship shareholders or customers, they worship the past. If it were otherwise, it wouldn’t take a crisis to set a company on a new path.

The most extreme version of organizational inertia comes when those within a company are no longer able to distinguish between form and function—when their instinctual loyalty is to the “how” rather than the “what.”

If one didn’t know better, it would be easy to believe that a lot of newspaper publishers have been more committed to producing broadsheets than to delivering the news in a convenient form, or making it easy for advertisers to connect with customers.

Until recently, music companies seem to have been more committed to stamping out plastic discs than to giving their customers easy access to their favorite tunes.

Many drug companies seem a lot more interested in peddling temporary palliatives for chronic conditions than in eradicating disease.

For years, Kodak seemed more focused on making film than on leveraging new digital technologies that would make photography simpler and cheaper.

Alzheimer’s, arteriosclerosis and arthritis—these seem to be the inevitable byproducts of old age. But must organizational maturity bring a similar set of maladies? I don’t think so. Despite all the evidence to the contrary, I think a company can truly be “Forever 21.”

In my next couple of postings I’ll give you the Cliff Notes version of the book I’m too busy to write: ”Ever Young: How to Keep Your Company Flexible, Vital and Impertinent.”

Until then, a question: What are the most powerful inertial forces in your organization? And what could be done to counter them?

There can be the stifling attitude among ministers in the Church that we should run our programs a particular way because "that's how we've always done it." While this may be effective, and new participants wouldn't know the difference, we run the risk of becoming stale, and worse, we lose the energy that we put into it at the beginning: things become simply "routine." However, the Gospel is ever new. It speaks to people in every age and to the same person differently at different points in one's life. It is up to us, as the "organization," to consider how we present the message now - in this particular cultural context - and determine if that is the most effective way to do it. It might mean asking people their opinions - listening to them - and taking that advice, criticism and input to heart to create a more effective way to get the Message across.

What are some the ways your programs at your school or parish are "what we've always done"? How are you addressing the needs and attitudes of the modern listener? What can you do better? What resources are available that you can make better use of? Answer those questions, and those like them, and we might be on our way to a revival in ministry!

What Makes You Different?

In the story of Dumbo, the title elephant is "different." His large ears make him stand out from the rest of the herd of circus elephants. As his mother is punished for reprimanding a boy for mocking her son's ears, the other elephants place the blame squarely on Dumbo - the "different one." It was an easy accusation, since pointing out differences is the best way to get people on your side (assuming they are "normal" like you). Later, Dumbo's clumsiness with his ears literally brings down the show, as the tent collapses after the little elephant trips into the pyramid of pachyderms. After this fiasco, the other elephants decide that Dumbo is no longer an elephant. He is ostracized, and he becomes simply a "freak show" for the clowns.

His story is one that should resonate for anyone who is different. It's a tale that is not that far from reality. People will always look at distinguishing characteristics, and they will either accept or reject people with similar or different attributes. Whether is is based on religion, political persuasion, sexual orientation, or simply choice of hairstyle or clothing, people will cast out those who seem "other."

In reality, we are all human. We are all created by God, in the divine image, and based solely on that fact, we all share the same dignity - regardless of what makes us different from one another. By casting out those who seem "strange" or different from us, we are in some way casting out some part of our humanity - that unity that God has willed for us. Tolerance should not be about accepting everything as equal; rather, it should be about acknowledging difference, diversity, and realizing that to be human is so much bigger and more noble than our personal, limited categories.

Sometimes, or differences can seem to be a burden to us; sometimes, others will use these to make us feel inferior - sometimes we ourselves do that. However, differences can be a blessing - as was the case for Dumbo. His ears might have been goofy to those who expected him to be a certain way. However, they also were the very things that marked him as special, and his ability to fly with them made him a hero.

What burdens in our lives might also be the very blessings that God has given us? And what might we use them for? Can we do that? Might elephants fly?

At Last!

After all that creating,
all these things:
day and night,
land and sea,
sun and moon,
birds, fish, cattle and creepy things,
and best of all,
Ha'adam.

And they were good.

But now,
now I look at this one,
stretching and searching,
looking for another -
another ha'adam
among the birds
and fish,
and cattle and creepy things.
He is a searcher,
looking for that other,
to share the life
I have given.

Yet,
he searches
alone.

And it is not good
for the ha'adam to be alone.

So, I shall help him.
I will give him a partner,
one to search with him,
one, in whom he is found.
So,
sleep now, ha'adam.
And awaken
see your completion.

"At last!"
he says,
"this is bone of my bone
and flesh of my flesh!"
Here, I see myself -
I am complete,
and I know what it is
to love someone,
and to know
the One who gives me life.

This is life now,
completion,
wholeness,
Love.
How can I think of being
anywhere else?
How can I imagine life
apart from this one?

At last!
Here is the one,
for whom I was made
...from the beginning.

Where've You Been

Up until two years ago, I thought I understood youth ministry. I always enjoyed working with the young people and youth ministers wherever I was stationed. However, when one actually is a youth minister, one gets a different perspective on the work. A criticism that many on various staffs that I have worked with had been that the youth minister was not working. By this they meant that when they were dragging themselves into the office at 8:30 or 9AM the youth minister's office remained darkened until 2, 3 or later.

As a college minister, my day really does not begin with kids until 3 or 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and even then, programs are generally in the evening. I am a morning person by nature, so I am still programmed to get up and get going early, but "early" for me has been getting later and later. Most days, I don't get home until after 10pm. Part of this ministry is very fun and doesn't "look like work" to those who are accustomed to a 9 to 5 day. However, much work, I know, goes into that fun. There is a joke among youth ministry that all you need to know to be a youth minister is how to eat pizza while sitting on a floor. Yes, I have done that on occasion too, but it must be in a context of faith and sharing with the Young Church.

Most of the youth ministers and campus ministers I know are hard-working, dedicated people of faith. They believe in the ministry of sharing the Gospel with young people and put themselves at their service. Please, know that they are working just as hard as any other dedicated disciple, and try not to call before 9AM!

Seeing Each Other Through the Eucharist

A friend in ministry came to Mass at the Newman Center the other evening, and then we went out to dinner. We talked about a lot of things, and then he asked about the set up at the Center's chapel. We have a sort of semicircular set up with the altar in the center of two sides of chairs, the presider's chair off one end of the altar, and the pulpit off the other, with a large gross window behind. He wanted to know why the altar was not made the focal point, visually, below that beautiful window. It was a good question, I told him - one that I had pondered many times since I got there over two years ago. However, after those two years and ministry among the college students, I have come to accept, and even prefer, the arrangement.

The young people I minister to - as well as those of countless youth ministers everywhere - often have difficulty relating in the "real world." Facebook, text messages and the like have removed some personal aspect of communication, and what they experience is often a hollow substitute. They have difficulty looking others in the eye, from noticing them. In this liturgical arrangement, we are forced to see each other - to look across the room and notice the other person sitting there, worshiping, sharing faith. In fact, as another member of my community observed, we even see each other "through the Eucharist" in the liturgy.

I am by no means a liturgical hippie. I like doing things "by the book" because that sense of continuity and identity with other worshiping communities is important. However, in particular circumstances, there is room for adaptation. No, the Newman Center Chapel is not ideally suited to the Extraordinary Rite or the Tridentine Liturgy. It is suited to help young people, through the mode of the liturgy, to do something that the Church has done from the beginning: build community. It is done in a context of faith and celebration.

My prayer for the young people that celebrate with us each week is that they are being built into that community of faith with every visit, and that they see this as the work of the One through Whom we see each other.