The Chicago Tribune reported today that thousands of families that were given “right to return” vouchers when they were forced to move due to CHA’s Plan For Transformation have been taken off the list now that few of the promised units have been built. Many Lathrop Homes residents have been impacted. Read more….
Are My Sermons Entertaining Enough?
Thoughts by Pastor Bruce Ray
Today, I received an unsolicited email announcing the creation of a new Christian television network. I’m omitting the name of the network so I can’t be accused of promoting something I know little about. What caught my attention was the following:
“Our ultimate goal is to provide a powerful new Christian entertainment option for the world while also helping to grow churches like yours. We’ve been blessed with a great response so far and are on track to reach 1 million viewers this month. I wanted to let you know that we’ve recently launched our Sermon Spotlight show, which features 20 to 30 different sermon clips from across the country on each episode. This is a free way to get national exposure for your church and help get your message out.”
It was the boldface words that got to me. Christian Entertainment Option (for the world). Sermon Spotlight show. Is this the state of American Christianity? Is it no more than an entertainment option? Are sermons now reduced to shows and “clips”?
I’m sure there has been a certain element of showmanship and entertainment throughout the centuries of Christianity. I think of people traveling to the Jordan River to get a glimpse of the crazy guy who eats bugs and rants. I’m sure that was entertaining. I think of others gathering around the base of a pillar to watch the hermit, Simeon Stylites, sit for 37 years. That’s entertainment! More recently, evangelist Billy Sunday’s frenetic delivery was about the best show in town (and it was free to boot.) And the word “televangelist” is almost synonymous with “showman”.
I try my hardest not to be boring when I preach, but I am uncomfortable with the idea of my sermons being turned into an entertainment commodity. When sermon equals entertainment, something is lost. That Something is the Word of God that fundamentally challenges us and our culture. Plenty of people followed Jesus until he said, “eat my flesh and drink my blood.” Suddenly, he wasn’t so popular. The messages of the Bible and Jesus’ teaching are often intentionally difficult and require serious reflection and self-evaluation. Just ask the rich young ruler with the right answers and the wrong priorities. Sermons shouldn’t be evaluated by how many times they make me laugh but by whether God moves me toward becoming like Christ.
What do you think?
Prayer for Peace in Syria
Thank you, Pope Francis, for speaking truth to power and for calling us all to prayer for a negotiated settlement in Syria. In his address on September 1, the Pope unequivocally condemned the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government, but also strongly expressed opposition to the military response proposed by the US and France. He raised his voice and declared, “War brings on war! Violence brings on violence.” Amen! That is why we are joining our brothers and sisters at the Logan Square Eagle monument (Milwaukee and Kedzie) on September 11, at 7:00 pm to pray for peace in Syria and to pray that our national leaders will pursue a response that does not result in more destruction and loss of life. We invite everyone who desires and pursues peace to join us.
For more on Pope Francis’ address, follow the link. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/03/pope-francis-peace-syria-september-7_n_3860417.html
Feed the Body; Feed the Soul
This summer, 30 high school students took on the challenge to re-design our churchyard to create a space that feeds both the body and the soul. They were charged with the task of incorporating a community farm, a prayer labyrinth and an outdoor gathering space into a cohesive whole within an area 100 ft X 100 ft . The youth took the charge seriously and the resulting six designs were creative, thoughtful and inspired. “These designs are really strong, showing that these teens thoroughly understood the goals of the project and the desires of the client. I was brought to tears frequently,” said Dawn Marie Galtieri, director of Voice of the City and the teacher for the summer session called “Design. Build. Grow. Eat.”
Over the next months, the church will study the costs and feasibility with the help of VOTC. In the meantime, we’ll simply enjoy the inspiration. 
Voted Off the Island
Commentary by Rev. Bruce Ray
Various news sources have been reporting today on a new program in Hawaii–the “Aloha State”. They are ready to say “good-bye” to many people who have no homes, helping them relocate to the mainland US by providing a one-way plane ticket. Called “Return To Home,” the program is expected to relocate several hundred people over the next 3 years.
Hawaii is not the first government to propose relocation. New York City spent $500,000 from 2007 – 2009 in a program called “Project Reconnect” to move people out of the city. San Francisco’s “Homeward Bound” programs offers funds to low-income residents to move. Ft. Lauderdale, FL, recently approved their own program, “the Homeless Reunification Program.”
While these programs sound warm and appear compassionate and helpful, it raises questions about how we treat people who live on the streets and puts the spotlight on the efforts of governments to reduce their homeless populations. Why all this emphasis on relocation? Is it a desire to see people reconnect to their families and communities or is it economics? People without housing use city and state services that cost tax payers money. Reduce the homeless population and you reduce costs. And with governments tightening their belts, relocation programs are cheaper than providing the services. According to Michael Stoops, the director of community organizing for the National Coalition for the Homeless, relocation programs “have been used historically to ship homeless people out of town.”
We never address the underlying issues that cause many people to be displaced from their homes in the first place–loss of jobs, low wages, increased rent. We cut mental health services. We refuse to raise the minimum wage, We eliminate public housing. We divert TIF funds away from their original purpose which was building affordable housing. A full 17% of those who are homeless work full time jobs! They are without a home because they cannot afford a home. The answer to reducing homelessness is NOT relocation. The answer is jobs, living wages and affordable housing options.
Jesus reminds us that how we treat the most vulnerable is an indication of how we treat him. We have to do better than relocation.
Bonus Day – March 31, EASTER SUNDAY
Today is a feast day—a celebration of new life that will include special foods. What foods are associated with Easter in your household? How can you make sure this is a day of celebration for those who have nothing prepared?
Over the past six weeks, how has your relationship to food changed? Your relationship to people who are hungry? What have your learned about hunger during Lent? Are there any action steps that you want to take toward hunger as a result of participating in this year’s Lenten Compact?
Day 40 – March 30
It is interesting that this story is told in the context of a meal—a meal of bread and fish no less, the same food Jesus used to feed the multitudes. Does the context change your understanding of Jesus’ command that Peter “feed my sheep”? If so, how? Do you think Jesus expected Peter to feed people physically or is his command a metaphor for something else? Do you think feeding people is how we can best show that we love Jesus? Why or why not?
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday–a day that people usually celebrate with food. Consider making extra and sharing it with an individual or family who may not have food to celebrate. Or consider inviting someone to your home for Easter dinner. By your act of sharing, be a witness of the feast that is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Day 39 – March 29
On this Good Friday, we remember that Jesus laid down his life for us. We are called to do the same thing for one another. How do John and James envision living out that call? We are coming to the close of Lent. On a scale from 1 to 10, how well have you put your love and faith into action during this Lenten season? How do you think a hungry person would rate you?
Day 38 – March 28
How have you “recognized” Jesus more fully in the breaking of bread? How have you experienced the presence of Jesus during communion? How have you experienced the presence of Jesus at other meals? Have you experienced “holy heartburn”? If so, when?
Day 37 – March 27
Obviously, Jesus is not advocating that his disciples become cannibals or to dine on “leg of Lamb of God”. In the celebration of the Eucharist, we refer to the bread as Jesus’ body and the wine as his blood, but is participation in the Lord’s Supper the only way to “feed on Jesus”? How else might we “eat his flesh and drink his blood”? What does Jesus say are the results of “eating” him? How is the quality of your life different since you’ve “tasted” Christ? Why do you think this is such a “hard saying?”
Tongue on Fire 