Friday, April 15, 2011

Facing Life's Ups and Downs -- Review

FACING LIFE’S UPS AND DOWNS: The Struggle to be Whole. By William Powell Tuck. Macon: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, 2010. 180 pages.

Somewhere I remember reading something like this: “It’s the daily stuff of life that makes living so tough.” That is precisely why this book can be a valuable resource for dealing with the inevitable: the ups and downs that come to all of us regardless of our situation in the human family.

Tuck addresses a wide variety of issues with sound biblical exegesis of texts, personal anecdotes, excellent illustrations, and much healthy humor. All of which are absolutely necessary when one is dealing with stress, anger, anxiety, depression, loneliness, failure, and frustration. Although countless books have been written on each of these subjects, this book presents keen and succinct insights into issues that cloud some (many?) of our days. It also reveals a deep understanding of complex problems that are dealt with in a clear and concise manner.

One of the things I most appreciated is the profound simplicity one finds in these pages. (And don’t ignore the word profound.) One is not required to have attended a seminary or passed a course in psychology to be able to gain the benefits this book offers. The writing is certainly a “good read” as the reader is led to a clear understanding of each issue under discussion. You never have to ask, “I wonder what he means by that?”

This is in no way a general “self-help” book. It is all about how our Christian faith relates to life as we know it and live it. Biblical references abound; the application of these texts is succinctly and carefully spelled out. Without being dogmatic or judgmental, the author challenges us to live our Monday through Saturday lives in the light of our Sunday affirmations of faith.

One of the most helpful aspects of this book is the vast array of suggestions for dealing with each of the “downs” discussed. These suggestions are practical and within reach of all of us. Many of them are simply reminders of what we already know but have failed to put into practice. I cannot imagine anyone who does not need such reminders.

While excellent for personal reading, this book is a splendid resource for discussion groups of all kinds. Sunday school classes immediately come to mind but I also think it would be very usable in home study groups where some of the participants are not particularly church oriented. Most people have never had the opportunity to discuss openly and honestly the subjects covered.

After reading the Bible through for the first time, a late-in-life convert confessed: “I found myself on every page except for the ‘begats.’” I will confess that I found myself on almost every page of Tuck’s book. I appreciate the honesty in his writing that does not ignore the dark and inevitable side of life – even for the Christian. But he does not leave us with the “downs.” His constant encouragements to faith (trust) and recommendations for activities and practices for life when it is low really will enable us to make genuine progress in the struggle to be whole.



Ron Higdon,
Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
Prospect, Kentucky



Originally published in the Spring issue of Sharing the Practice.

Ultimate Allegiance -- Review

Ultimate Allegiance: The Subversive Nature of the Lord’s Prayer. By Robert D. Cornwall. Gonzalez, Florida: Energion Publications, 2010. 65 pages.

The writer of Ultimate Allegiance is Robert Cornwall, the Pastor of Central Woodward Christian Church in Troy, Michigan and the Editor-in-Chief of Sharing the Practice. To be honest, when I first picked up this new book on the Lord’s Prayer, having read dozens of books on the Lord’s Prayer and having written a book on the Lord’s Prayer myself, I wondered if I could find anything new or different about it. I was soon pleasantly surprised and stimulated to find within these brief pages many fresh and challenging insights. This book is based on a six-part sermon series, which Cornwall delivered in his own church to probe the question: what was he and the congregation praying each week and what did Jesus really intend for his followers to take from this prayer? As beautiful and inspiring as most people feel from praying the Lord’s Prayer, Cornwall believes that at its essence it is a very subversive prayer. Subversive prayer is prayer that engages “the powers that be.”

Cornwall notes the differences in the Lord’s Prayer in the two gospels, Matthew and Luke, and the differences in meaning of the words in the prayer according to the context and purpose of each. In six chapters he examines the declaration and petitions that form the prayer, he believes, “serve as an affirmation of God’s reign.” In the first petition he prefers the Greek word in the text for father, pater, which provides the root for words like patron and patriarch, and fits the “subversive” challenge which calls for our allegiance to God our Father over all other powers. The “our” Father reminds us of our corporate relationship to God, which is not a private or personal one, but is a part of the family of God--the Kingdom of God. The concept of the holiness of God helps us qualify our understanding of what it means to be in a relationship with the God who reigns over all and requires ultimate allegiance. He asserts boldly that the petition about praying for the coming kingdom is not a minor focus but is a reminder that the kingdom is at the center of the teachings of Jesus. This petition about praying for the kingdom to come is subversive in that it is not only a religious and spiritual declaration but a political one as well that declares God reign on Caesar’s throne or on any throne of power to bring about justice. This involves the willingness to say no to Caesar’s claim on one’s life and acknowledge our dependence on God.

The petition about our daily bread is a recognition that we must attend to our basic needs before we voice any others. The subversive dimension of this petition is the affirmation that we entrust God to provide for our needs not Caesar or government. Ultimately God is our provider and we declare our allegiance to him and humbly acknowledge our lack of self-sufficiency. “Our” bread affirms our solidarity with our neighbors and our willingness to share our bounty with them. This comes as a radical demand which, he knows, will be hard for many of us to embrace. In the petition on forgiveness he examines the three variants-one’s debts, sins or trespasses- with helpful insights. Acknowledging that trespass may not have textual support, he believes that it fits the subversive nature of the prayer, if we take the word in the modern sense to cross boundaries and invade spaces. He also reminds us that in this prayer Jesus states that forgiveness involves reciprocity. It is never enough simply to receive God’s forgiveness, we are charged to offer forgiveness to someone who has hurt or offended us. The prayer regarding temptation becomes culturally and socially subversive, according to Cornwall, when it becomes the foundation for discernment. In our journey through life many temptations will call for our allegiance but adhering to God’s reign means nor giving in to those voices and continuing the journey even when the way is difficult with the assurance of God’s presence with us. The doxology and affirmation about God’s glory confesses God’s power to transform the world as a power of love and relatedness and not by coercion or violence as evidence in the cross of Jesus.

This book can be used by ministers or lay persons for a devotional guide to the Lord’s Prayer, reading a chapter a day to deepen their understanding of this rich prayer. Churches could use it as a resource in prayer and book studies. Pastors could study it and draw on it as a model for preaching a series of sermons on the Lord’s Prayer. They might follow Cornwall’s model and have the congregation sing the prayer instead of reciting it. I personally found it a thought provoking experience that forced me to reexamine the various petitions in this model prayer of Jesus. I commend it highly and hope many will discover and read and use it to grow in their awareness of this special prayer.



William Powell Tuck, FAPC
Intentional Interim Pastor
Cool Spring Baptist Church
Mechanicsville, Virginia

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

APC 2011 Book of the Year and Top 10 List

The Academy of Parish Clergy, Inc. announces the 2011 Book of the Year Award to be Building Cultures of Trust by Martin E. Marty (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company). The Book of the Year Award is given to the best book published for parish ministry in the previous year. In addition, the Reference Book of the Year Award is given to Mark (Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible series) by William C. Placher (Westminster/John Knox Press). These awards were made at the Annual Conference of the Academy, February 15-17, 2011, at the Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center, Orlando, FL.  Dr. Raymond Williams received the award on behalf of Bill Placher, who died prior to the publication of this commentary.

In addition to the Book of the Year, the Academy has selected the following books as the Top Ten Books for Parish Ministry published in 2010. The following list, after the listing for Martin Marty is listed alphabetically according to title.


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2011 Book of the Year List (all books published in 2010) 


Building Cultures of Trust by Martin E. Marty (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)

A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions That Are Transforming The Faith by Brian D. McLaren (HarperOne)

Death and Afterlife: A Theological Introduction by Terence Nichols (Brazos Press)

Hannah's Child: A Theological Memoir by Stanley Hauerwas (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)

Listening to Children of the Spiritual Journey: Guidance for Those Who Teach and Nurture by Catherine Stonehouse and Scottie May (Baker)

Made For Goodness: And Why this Makes All the Difference by Desmond Tutu and Mpho Tutu (HarperOne)

Practice Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing Up In Christ by Eugene H. Peterson (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)

Preaching the Gospel of Matthew: Proclaiming God's Presence by Stanley P. Saunders (Westminster/John Knox)

Reframing Hope: Vital Ministry in a New Generation by Carol Howard Merritt (The Alban Institute)

Through Their Eyes: A Peoples View of the Global Church by F. Dean Leuking (Trya Books)



Reference Book of the Year

Mark (Belief: A Theological Commentary on the Bible series) by William C. Placher (Westminster/John Knox)

Monday, October 25, 2010

Martin Marty to Speak at the Academy of Parish Clergy Annual Meeting

The Academy of Parish Clergy’s
2011 Annual Conference

presents

Building Trust in a Culture of Distrust

with

Rev. Martin Marty

February 15-17, 2011    Canterbury Retreat Center   Orlando, Florida

“Our society is experiencing a huge amount of distrust in our institutions. We distrust and are distressed with our financial institutions, our churches, our national leaders and other elements of our society. These issues are shaking our foundations. What is the role of the Church in addressing this climate of distrust?”  - Rev. Martin Marty

Church historian and Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago, Rev. Martin Marty is highly respected as a religious historian, writer, theologian and pastor. He is a columnist for The Christian Century and an author of over 50 books as well as over 5000 articles, essays, and papers. Rev. Marty was ordained in 1952 and served churches in the Chicago suburbs for 10 years before joining the faculty at the University of Chicago where he taught for 35 years. He is a recipient of numerous awards, including the National Humanities Medal and the National Book Award.

Registration fees are $230 for clergy and $200 for spouses, if registered by January 10, 2011. After January 10, add $20. For single occupancy rooms add $75. Registration includes 2 nights double-occupancy accommodations and Tuesday noon through Thursday morning meals. Commuting attendees’ fee is $100 (includes meals). Anyone wishing to stay additional nights may make individual arrangements for a private retreat by contacting Terra Medeiros, Canterbury Director of Guest Services at (407) 365-5571 ext. 13.

For complete conference information and to obtain a registration form, go to http://www.apclergy.org/. You may alsocontact Rev. Paul Binder, Administrative VP, at pjbinder2@juno.com or (941) 922-8633.

Canterbury Retreat and Conference Center, a mission and ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Central Florida, offers a sanctuary of hospitality for growth and learning. All room accommodations are motel-type and are nonsmoking.

Handicapped-accessible rooms are available. More information can be found at http://www.canterburyretreat.org/.

Friday, April 30, 2010

Tending to the Holy -- Book of the Year reviewed

I wanted to announce that the book Tending to the Holy, written by Bruce and Kate Epperly, has been named Book of the Year by the Academy of Parish Clergy. This book, along with nine others, was be honored at the upcoming Academy of Parish Clergy Annual Meeting in Racine, WI. I happen to be the editor of the Academy's journal, Sharing the Practice.  Below is my review published originally at the blog Ponderings on a Faith Journey -- a briefer version was published in the journal.
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TENDING TO THE HOLY: The Practice of the Presence of God in Ministry. By Bruce G. Epperly and Katherine Gould Epperly. Foreword by Kent Ira Goff. Herndon, VA: Alban Institute, 2009. xii + 196 pp.

Busy pastors often take little time to attend to their physical, emotional, or spiritual life. They also often compartmentalize parts of their ministry – assuming that some parts are spiritual (preaching and praying) and others not so spiritual (administration). Bruce and Kate Epperly pick up on Brother Lawrence’s imagery of “practicing the presence of God” and share their understanding of how all aspects of ministry are spiritual and need to be undertaken in prayer – whether that prayer is a breath prayer or time spent in contemplation and meditation. For those of us, who are not by nature contemplative, who find it difficult not just to take time but to feel comfortable in prayer, this book is a godsend.

The Epperlys co-pastor a Disciples/UCC federated church in Pennsylvania, while Bruce serves as Director of Continuing Education and Professor of Practical Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary. This book is very personal, drawing on their experiences of ministry and spirituality. They write with passion about ways in which renewed and energized pastors can help energize mainline churches – not by turning to conservative theology, but by fully engaging a progressive understanding of Christianity. But, this is not rationalistic approach – they understand the need for the mystical, for letting the Spirit move in the life of the pastor and the church. This is an expression of the idea of Christian Practices that Diana Butler Bass, among others, have been lifting up these past several years, calling on us to a practice of awareness of God’s presence in every moment of our lives.

What is important to note here is that the Epperlys are strongly grounded in theology. They write:

While we recognize a good deal of truth in the postmodern critique of any attempt to frame global and all-inclusive theological worldviews, we nevertheless affirm the value of articulating a coherent, yet tentative and flexible, theological vision of God’s activity in the world as a means of orienting our lives and daily spiritual practices. (P. 11).


They acknowledge up front that they have been influenced by process theology, along with Jungian psychology and system theory, among others. These foundations are evident throughout, but they point us not to the systems and perspectives, but to practices that are deeply grounded and empower ministry. Perhaps most importantly, and this view they take from process theology, is the affirmation that God is always present. This a view that is continually reinforced. With that in mind, then we can integrate all aspects of life, and understand everything we do in ministry is rooted in God’s active presence in the world. They speak often, as well, of the principle of abundance – not in a prosperity gospel way – that allows us to see the world in a new light, one that is not rooted in scarcity and fear.

The book takes up all facets of ministry, beginning with preaching, teaching and worship – and they define these aspects of ministry in terms of spiritual formation. They encourage taking time for study and prayer, so that in our teaching and preaching and worship leadership, we have a vision of God’s presence and a recognition that we are vessels through which God is speaking. One way of moving in this direction is to reclaim the use of study for the pastor’s office. They write that the use of office reflects a change from the ministerial vocation as that of “rabbi, teacher, and spirit person,” and has moved it into more corporate senses as “administrator, program manager, professional counselor, and functional CEO.” It’s not these functions aren’t part of ministry, but rather the problem of these images defining what a pastor is doing (pp. 36-37).

Moving from what would seem to be the most visible aspects of ministry, they move onto ministries of spiritual guidance, pastoral care, leadership and administration, and finally prophetic hospitality. In each area of ministry, they urge pastors to engage themselves spiritually and prayerfully, even when engaging in work that doesn’t seem all that spiritual. For clergy who resist the administrative tasks, they Epperlys remind us that we can’t get away from them, they’re part of what we do, but we can reenvision these tasks spiritually. The question they ask of us is this:

Will your administrative leadership deepen the spirituality of your congregation and your own spirituality, or will it be a source of conflict, fatigue, and frustration both for yourself and for the congregation? We believe that the form and style of your leadership and administration as a pastor cannot be separated from your theological beliefs and spiritual practices. (p. 127).


The kind of leadership they envision is one that is “creative, appreciative, affirmative, and imaginative.” It is a form of ministry that is rooted in a spiritual practice, which they borrow from Gerald May, of “pausing, opening, noticing, stretching and yielding, followed by responding to God’s presence.” This form of prayerfulness or mindfulness is described and applied throughout the book – reminding us how we might recognize God’s presence and engage that presence in all aspects of ministry.

The penultimate chapter is called “prophetic hospitality,” and this chapter needs to be internalized by mainline progressive pastors – many of whom pastor churches that are at a different place than they are when it comes to political, theological, social, and cultural issues. Clergy tend to either hide their views or lashing out angrily. The Epperlys offer another way, one that allows both for expressing prophetic understandings while respecting and loving those with whom we differ. The key is staying in relationship with those who differ, while continuing to hold true to one’s own beliefs.

Prophetic hospitality is grounded in a visionary reconciliation in which pastors see and appreciate Christ’s presence in all their congregants as the foundation of common ground amid great diversity. (p. 170)

Indeed, one cannot preach God’s love while disrespecting one’s opponents – a word that is difficult for us, as human beings, to get a hold of and internalize, and yet it’s an important one. Once again, however, in order to accomplish this, one must engage the other prayerfully. This conversation helpfully deals with the reality that is most troubling for us as pastors – dealing with our own anger. They offer a possible way for this anger to be transformed into love. In all of this, the point is that we seek a balance where we can live out our dual callings to be prophets and shepherds, challengers and comforters.

This is not only an excellent book, I would suggest that it is essential reading for clergy, especially those who are progressive in their theology. It is thoroughly grounded in theology, because the authors insist that what we believe matters -- especially regarding the presence of God in every aspect of life. They also take into account other sources of revelation – such as tradition and psychology It is challenging and comforting. The point is, our ability to live out our calling without becoming burned out and beaten up, requires that we stay grounded in our relationship with God, and that means practicing the presence of God in all places and at all times. Such a word breathes grace into our ministries.



2010 Academy of Parish Clergy Book of the Year List

The Academy of Parish Clergy, Inc. announces the 2010 Book of the Year Award to be Tending To The Holy: The Practice of the Presence of God in Ministry by Bruce G. Epperly and Katherine Gould Epperly (Alban Institute). The Book of the Year Award is given to the best book published for parish ministry in the previous year. In addition, the Reference Book of the Year Award is given to Revelation: A Commentary in The New Testament Library by Brian K. Blount (Westminster/John Knox Press). These awards were presented at at the Annual Conference of the Academy, April 20-22, 2010, at the Sienna Center, in Racine, Wisconsin.

____________________

In addition to the Book of the Year, the Academy has selected the following books to complete its list of the Top Ten Books for Parish Ministry published in 2009. These appear in no specific order.


A People’s History of Christianity: The Other Side of the Story by Diana Butler Bass (HarperOne)

At the Scent of Water: The Ground of Hope in the Book of Job by J. Gerald Janzen (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)

Beyond the Yellow Ribbon: Ministering to Returning Combat Veterans by David A. Thompson (Abingdon Press)

Kindling Desire For God: Preaching As Spiritual Direction by Kay L. Northcutt (Fortress Press)

Preaching From Memory to Hope by Thomas G. Long (Westminster/John Knox Press)

The Future of Faith by Harvey Cox (HarperOne)

The Power to Comprehend With All the Saints: The Formation and Practice of a Pastor-Theologian ed. by Wallace M. Allston Jr. and Cynthia A. Jarvis (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company)

The Ten Commandments (Interpretation Resources for the Use of Scripture in the Church) by Patrick D. Miller (Westminster/John Knox Press)

Toxic Spirituality: Four Enduring Temptations of Christian Faith by Eric W. Gritsch (Fortress Press)
 
Republished from:  Ponderings on a Faith Journey

Friday, May 16, 2008

Natural Church Development

Dr. David Daubert was the featured presenter at the 2008 Academy of Parish Clergy Annual Meeting. Below is a description of the Natural Church Development program and contact information.

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Churches have a tendency to become focused on fruit - growing attendance, dynamic programs, funded budgets, expanding facilities. In this pursuit, it is often forgotten that the root produces the fruit. Abundant fruit can only grow from a healthy root system.

Natural Church Development provides a reliable survey tool for measuring the health of your church in eight critical areas. These Quality Characteristics have proven themselves essential in building healthy churches.
--Empowering Leadership
--Gift-oriented Ministry
--Passionate Spirituality
--Functional Structures
--Inspiring Worship Services
--Holistic Small Groups
--Need-oriented Evangelism
--Loving Relationships

All eight of the Quality Characteristics are needed for a healthy church. Just as a person cannot live by bread alone, a church cannot grow to health on any one quality.

Natural Church Development also relies on six principles of growth to facilitate the health and growth in these quality areas:

--Interdependence
--Multiplication
--Energy transformation
--Multi-usage
--Symbiosis
--Functionality

These six principals are often referred to as Biotic Principles because they release the church's ability to grow all by itself. Together, these eight qualities and six Biotic Principles provide potent tools for bringing health and growth to your church.

Natural Church Development and the Church Growth Movement have large areas of overlap, yet are different. One of the major differences between the two can be highlighted in the area of quantitative versus qualitative goal setting. In NCD the quality of a church is the root, the quantitative growth the fruit. Growth in quantity is not the strategic goal of NCD, but a natural consequence of a healthy church.

Dr. David Daubert, a consultant in NCD, was the major presenter as the Academy of Parish Clergy's 2008 Annual Conference (Cleveland, OH, April 29-May1).