Summer Reading Recommendation

Philip Yancey, What Good Is God? In Search Of A Faith That Matters (New York: FaithWords, 2010). 287 pages.

The journalist and author of some 20 bestselling books, Phillip Yancey is one of the most influential writers in the Evangelical world today. "I write books for myself," he says on his blog, "searching for a loving, gracious God." Yancey writes about God's grace instead of the God he feared because of the hellfire and brimstone preaching he received from what he calls a "toxic church."

In What Good is God? Yancey takes us on a global journey to ten distinct groups of people to determine whether faith in a benevolent, gracious God can hold up in situations of extreme violence or distress.  

Does faith really matter? This simple question, though the answer isn't an easy find, takes Yancey to some of the most fascinating places one individual could go: from the massacre at Virginia Tech to the terror that encircled the streets of Mumbai; from the underground faith in China to the church at risk in the Middle East; from a conference full of professional sex workers to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Chicago.

During his quest, Yancey, the journalist observed with a practiced eye while Yancey, the believer, probed his soul for answers. Each of the 10 chapters begins with an narrative of the particular situation/context, followed by an excerpt from a sermon or speech.  Each of the chapters underscores the book’s central message

The book’s format differs from the format of Yancey’s other books -- he uses previously unpublished material -- mainly speaches and sermons, prefacing them with an introductory chapter each that sets the stage.  He draws us in to the places he visited - as if we are standing directly in the midst of the chaos erupting in Mumbai, India in 2008 or experiencing firsthand the tragedy and the pain that embodied those involved in the massacre at Virginia Tech in 2007 - and gives us, the reader, a chance to hear exactly what he said to the people he met during these difficult times.

In the end, Yancey reminds his readers of their Christian calling to be dispensers of God's grace, setting loose this powerful force on a weary, violent planet.  He concludes, "May the church be known as a place where grace flows on tap: to sinners, to rich and poor alike, to those who need more light, to outcasts, to those who disagree, to oppressed and oppressors both."(282) Well said, Mr. Yancey.

I whole-hartedly recommend Yancey's latest books to all who enjoy to probe the depths of their faith and who don't shy away from asking difficult questions.

Do Lutherans Believe in Saints?

First up -- Lutherans do not have the same regard for saints and patron saints as the Roman Catholic Church. But we do have a liturgical calendar which designates days of commemoration to believers who have gone before us as examples of Christian virtue and as people of faith. Lutherans pray in the example of those saints and they pray to be likened to those saints in faith.  Lutherans do not, however, petition to the saints for intercession, protection, or blessing.


We are fortunate that one of the foundational doctrinal documents of the  Lutheran Church, the Augsburg Confession (1530 AD), contains a special paragraph on saints.  All subsequent Lutheran theology and practice on this issue is based on that paragraph:

“Concerning the cult of the saints our people teach that the saints are to be  remembered so that we may strengthen our faith when we see how they experienced grace and how they were helped by faith.  Moreover, it is taught that each person, according to his or her calling, should take the saints’ good works as an example.  For instance, His Imperial Majesty, in a salutary and righteous fashion, may follow the example of David in waging war against the Turk.  For both hold a royal office that demands defense and protection of their subjects.  However, it cannot be demonstrated from Scripture that a person should call upon the saints or seek help from them.  'For there is only one single reconciler and mediator set up between God and humanity, Jesus Christ' (1 Timothy 2:5).  He is the only savior, the only high priest, the mercy seat, and intercessor before God (Romans 8:34).  He alone has promised to hear our prayers." (Augsburg Confession, German Text, Article 21)

Simply put, a saint is a child of God, made such by God’s grace through Jesus Christ.  God is in the business of making sinners into saints through faith in Christ alone.  What does this mean for you and me?  It means that as we are baptized into Jesus Christ, we too, are have become saints, while we still remain sinners, as well.

So, if all believers in Christ are saints, then what is this cult of the saints?  During Martin Luther’s time, it had become common practice to pray to the official “saints” of the church for aid.  For example, you could pray to St. Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, for riches since she was considered the patron saint of the poor.  This was called “invoking a Saint” like St. Anne for help, and this practice seems to have come right out of the pagan practices of pre-Christian Europe, as each household would pray to their ancestors for help.  But does Scripture support this practice?  Not really.  “Invoking” the saints is never mentioned in Scripture.  Instead, the one whom we should “invoke” or pray to is Christ himself.  He is our advocate, and gives us the promise that he will hear and answer our prayers.  In Christ alone will we find mercy, grace, new life, and all of our daily needs.


Instead we can honor the saints in three ways:  thanksgiving, veneration, and imitation. 

Try to bring to mind someone who has shaped your faith in important ways—maybe your mother, your grandmother, or some other person.  We can look at that person as an example who has build up our own faith and we can give thanks and be thankful for him or her. 


The second way to honor the saints is called “veneration.”  This means we can also be comforted by how God forgives that person’s sins and be assured that God will do the same for us.  Finally, we can imitate that person in all of our daily callings, like taking care of each other, or reading scripture, or even keeping alive her treasured recipes!  We don’t pray to that person to bless us with good things, and it is not necessary to ask him or her to pray for us.  Scripture asserts that all of the saints who now rest in Christ are constantly praying for the faithful, just as we gather any given Sunday and pray for all of the faithful.  So, for Lutheran Christians, prayers are for the One who answers prayer, God. 


Saints are examples of godly living.   And, since we are saints by our faith in Jesus Christ alone, we can be pleasantly surprised to know that God is also using us as an example to the next generation of Christians of how to actually live this new life of faith in a faithless world.  Saints can serve as important role models to us on our own journey with Jesus.  Some of these individuals have lead truly exemplary lives of faith, humility, and service to others.  Others, however, have more dubious accomplishments—for example St. Cyril of Alexandria, who gained infamous notoriety for his role in expelling Christian sect of the Novatians and all of Alexandria’s Jewish population from the city and his participation in the murder of the pagan philosopher Hypatia. 


More than anything else, the lives of the saints show us that being holy means being human, not perfect, and that all human beings are in need of God’s grace and forgiveness.

Photos from the 2011 Common Ground Tour

Here are some photos from the Common Ground tour.  Picasa Web

Common Ground Tour Update

When I asked in April what youth event I could join this Summer to get to know some of the Bethel "kids" and was given the option of accompanying this year's Common Ground, little did I know what to expect. I had heard that Norita and Tom had been building this ministry over the last 2+ decades, that Common Ground is a youth choir, that the performances would take place in host churches, and that - this year - we would be heading North.

I got a first glimpse into what to expect on Friday when loud sounds began wafting through the Bethel sanctuary, sounds that kept pulling me away from my desk. At night, at the send-off concert, I was up for a surprise-not only was there music, but dramas and videos as well.

As the tour date came closer, I began wondering what to pack and when to leave. OMG, sleeping on the floor? Where, in the world is my camping gear--after all we are in the process of selling our home and moving? Due to the late date of Pentecost, I ended up flying to Portland, stuffing pillow, sleeping bag, and camping mat into the same humungous red suitcase that held my clothes.

Thus far, I have been part of 4 performances - 2 in Washington, 2 in Oregon. All of them were we'll attended by people of all ages. I have slept in 3 different homes (ranging from magazine-worthy to girlish-pink) and one church. I have eaten well and enjoyed wonderful attractions along the way: Pike's Market in Seattle, watching as the group enjoyed the local indoor swimming pool all to themselves (courtesy of our host church), speed boating on the Willamette River, and sand dune bugging at the Oregon coast.

Along the way, the performances have become better and better. Consonants actually are now getting enunciated, the singers and musicians actually SMILE when on stage, talking and any whispering on stage has stopped, and the group nicely interacts with host church members during dinners and greets audiences.

My biggest surprise on the tour, though, has been to see that Common Ground is far more than a musical tour. Sure, musical performance and excelling in them is an important part of the tour, but far more important is what I would call the spiritual-formation element of the tour.

I have learned how the dramas have grown out of many hours of discussion and sharing. This year's theme, "Living out Loud," indeed provides for ample thought. How do I as an individual practice God's salvation in my own life? How do I practice what I preach? Can others really experience God's love and grace and forgiveness when they meet me?

Most Lutheran congregations plenty to learn from the kids' message of living out loud: As churches, we must always ask ourselves how we can be more sharing, inclusive, and welcoming. Do we speak out in the name of God's love when we watch others being bullied, abused, and exploited? Do we hold back, out of fear that we cease being popular or that we might be mistaken for political propagandists? Are we truly Live out Loud" houses or do we more closely resemble social clubs of the well-to-do? When encountering abusive behavior and oppressive systems, is all we do to pray and watch as things only get worse or do we strive to do something to spread God's love in word and deed?

Common Ground also offers the youth and their adult sponsors great opportunities for developing leadership skills and learning about equipment and technology. It is amazing to watch how the "kids" speedily set up ver complex sound, video, lighting, recording, and projection equipment, how they know what to plug in where, which cables to run, and what lights and screens to set up. Roles are easily switched. Multiple-tasking seems to come naturally.

In addition to the performances and the recreational fun, each day tine is set aside for sharing and processing--either in pairs or "family groups.". Each performance begins with group prayer out of sight of the audience--everyone checks in with a prayer concern of their own.

In the process I am learning who's the most enthusiastic in the group ( without doubt, Tyler), who's holding back, who's simply copy-catting, who tries to avoid chores, who takes on leadership roles willingly, or who is quiet, chatty.

And let's nor forget the sponsors -- the 10 adults that are traveling with the choir and band. They are the ones training the kids in the use of the equipment, giving feed-back after performances, doing vocal coaching, helping with stage choreography, tending to a bleeding nose, a hurting stomach, personal crises, time and money management, and faith sharing. In the process friendships are strengthened and first connections made.

Can you tell that I am thoroughly enjoying my road trip? Yes, I do and I am grateful to be included into this year's Common Ground.

I hope to see many if you soon -- hopefully at the Common Ground homecoming concert on Sunday, June 19, at 7:30pm at Bethel Lutheran Church in Cupertino.

Location:Pacific North West

Pentecost Church vs. Pentecostal Church

In a few days, Christian churches everywhere will be celebrating the Festival of Pentecost. In our church, we will be listening to the sound of different languages, watching flames of fire, and enjoying a church decked in red. All this is good and fun — but such worship does more to obscure than uncover what it means for a church to live in the spirit of Pentecost. In the following, I hope to explore a bit what is may mean to be a “Pentecost” church, and how such a church is different from a “Pentecostal” church.

Pentecost Church vs. Pentecostal Church
The adjective “Pentecostal” is derived from the noun “Pentecostalism.” Pentecostalism is a religious renewal movement within Christianity, that places special emphasis on a direct personal experience of God through the baptism of the Holy Spirit. (see Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. "Pentecostalism". http://pewforum.org/docs).

Pentecostalism
Pentecostalism is an umbrella term that includes a wide range of different theological and organizational perspectives. As a result, there is no single central organization or church that directs the movement. Most Pentecostals consider themselves to be part of broader Christian groups; for example, most Pentecostals identify as Protestants.

Beliefs concerning spiritual gifts among Pentecostals are as varied and diverse as the number of denominations they have split into. However, all Pentecostals share a belief that all spiritual gifts described in the Bible are at work in the church today.

Clash between Lutheran and Pentecostal Beliefs
Some of the fundamental concepts of Pentecostalism clash with core Lutheran beliefs. Perhaps the main difference between Lutheran and Pentecostal doctrine is that Pentecostalism tends to emphasize the importance of personal and spiritual "experiences" (such as "baptism in the Holy Spirit" and speaking in tongues), while Lutherans emphasize the importance and centrality of God’s Word and God’s promises in Scripture. 

Lutherans are concerned that Pentecostals often teach that an individual must first become worthy before s/he can be baptized in the Spirit. This worthiness, Pentecostals believe, is gained by complete obedience to Christ, holiness, intense prayer, fasting, etc. This conflicts with the Biblical teaching that God gives God’s Spirit freely, by grace, for all who believe in Jesus and are baptized with water. This emphasis on worthiness tempts Pentecostals to lapse into (what Lutherans would consider) works-righteousness.

What is a "Pentecost Church"?
To understand the notion of a “Pentecost” church, we first need to look at what the Bible says about God’s Holy Spirit, for the Festival of Pentecost celebrates to coming of God’s Holy Spirit upon the first Christians.

A Spirit-Filled Church
The Old Testament calls God’s Holy Spirit God’s “wisdom” (or “sophia”) and teaches that God’s wisdom was present with God before the creation of the world. God’s Holy Spirit fell upon Jesus at his baptism in the river Jordan and was with Jesus ever since. After Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, God’s Holy Spirit fell upon Christ’s body, the church, and continues to be with her ever since. God’s Holy Spirit empowers people, calls them out of complacency, stirs them, comforts, and sustains them through life’s perils.

A Pentecost Church, thus, is a church that celebrates the presence of God’s Holy Spirit and strives to live in the Spirit’s presence. A Pentecost Church seeks to open herself to the works of the Spirit. A Pentecost Church is open to the notion that God’s Spirit is at work in her, even today. A Pentecost Church is open to surprises, for she trusts that God continues to do new things in the world. Pentecost Christians are willing to let God’s Spirit sweep away their long-held biases and prejudices, if those prove contrary to Christ’s message of grace and mercy.

Is Bethel a Pentecost Church?
Are we such a Pentecost Church? Is our congregation truly open to the works of God’s Holy Spirit in our midst? Do we trust that God empowers us, challenges, and sustains us through God’s Holy Spirit? Do we truly celebrate the gifts of God’s Spirit among us? Do we truly trust that God’s Holy Spirit is working among us? Or do we trust more in the power of religious tradition, balance sheets, and savings accounts? Not all of the Spirit’s gifts may be comfortable. Sometimes God’s Spirit works among and within us to wake us from all-too-comfortable spiritual slumber and complacency.

What are Signs of God’s Holy Spirit?
The New Testament itself tells us that the Church, the body of Christ, is evidence to the world that Jesus Christ is alive in the here and now. The church is God's sign to the world that Jesus has been raised from the dead. When Jesus’ first disciples realized they had an unbroken and unbreakable connection to their Savior, the Church formed. Enlivened and emboldened by their connection with Jesus, they lived together with such passion and compassion, such love and grace, such generosity and power, that the only plausible explanation for their life together was the presence and the power of God’s Holy Spirit. 

Do we live together in such a loving and Spirit-filled manner as the early Christians did? That, I believe, is the first and foremost question posed to us by God this Pentecost Day … and always.

A Litany for Graduates

L: We are gathered together to celebrate the accomplishments of all recent graduates among us.

All: We give blessings to you for all that you have achieved and many more achievements yet to come.

L: One part of your life’s journey is complete. You will prepare to begin another phase that will take you to unimaginable places. As you prepare for your next journey, we hope that you remember the ones you leave behind, who have loved and supported you throughout the years.

All: We give you blessings of good will and love as you journey forth into the world. We thank you for the laughter and fellowship that you have shared with us and pray that as you begin your next journey, remember the times that we all have shared with you.

L: Use those memories as a beacon to guide you on your path. Don’t look back longingly; but continue forward, using your memories to create a new path.

All: We pray that God will give you strength and determination to develop new relationships that will help to strengthen and sustain your faith.

L: Because we are made in the image of God we have been blessed with free will to make choices and decisions.

All: We pray that you make wise and rational decisions, always turning to God for help. God hears, God listens, God is always with you. Do not forget that. Always keep in mind that God is around and if you turn to him, he will guide you.


A reading from the Book of Matthew: 28:16-20

"16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

L: Just as Jesus commissioned the disciples to go out and spread his word with the world,
so do we commission you to do the same through the way you live your life. Always keep Christ in your heart.

All: We send you forth with all our love, all our reverence, all of our perseverance, and all of our support. Strive for only the best rewards that life has to offer you and may the love of Christ shine through you.

L: Christ is the light of all people. Let him shine in you during tough times and always keep that light alive.

All: Let Christ’s light shine always. Thanks be to God.

Location:Bethel, Cupertino

Healthy Start Retreat

Participated in "Healthy Start" retreat, very ably facilitated by Rev. Dale Sollom-Brotherton.

The picture to the left (featured artist: Doreen Baldwin) shows the Bethel "wagon train" -- with wagons, wagon drivers, walking women and kids, straddlers, oxen, milk cow, scouts, wagon train leader, wheelwright, hunters/gatherers, chuck wagon, forks in the road, natives, wild animals, camp fire, and so forth on its way from the mid-West to California.

Who are the captains, scouts, hunters/gatherers, and straddlers at Bethel? What will be my roles and responsibilities as the congregation's new associate pastor?