Reflections on "No Longer Reformed"

I actually never got to the first point in my notes as I began my sermon preparation -- that is, exploring what it means to be part of the Reformed tradition that has as its mantra Martin Luther's words: "The church reformed, always reforming." Of course, the rich irony of that quote is that after Martin Luther broke away from the Catholic church, he himself became very rigid in what was acceptable as worship and as the church (certainly the Anabaptists killed by the Reformers would not see the Reformers as being open to reform).

Instead, I chose to rehearse (another way of saying repeated) some of the gifts the Presbyterian Church offers to the world. In fact, if you wonder if I ever read your comments, it was a comment sent to me late last week that sent me farther in this direction in the sermon.

I have also found that my sermons have been a bit longer the last few weeks. It is not intentional, but I keep finding more to say on these topics. This series has captivated me as the preacher, which generally means better sermons.

Although not totally connected with the sermons, I have been fascinated to hear the members share how they have discovered God in their lives in the 21st century. Very different stories have been shared, which speaks both to the all-encompassing claim God has on us and the varied people and their stories that gather each week in worship.

Sermon notes:

Introduction: it was October 31, 1517, 493 years ago today, on All Hallow’s Eve. The local priest was pounding a paper, listing 95 debating points on the door of the church.  This door functioned as the bulletin board for the academic community in Wittenburg, in what we now call Germany.  All the local scholars were sure to check it out.  But more than that, tomorrow would be All Saints’ Day and the church and church yard would be packed with local people.  On that day Duke Frederick the Wise, the local noble man, would put his substantial collection of sacred relics on display in front of the church.  That always attracted a crowd.  This local priest was Martin Luther. His 95 debating points became known as his “95 Theses,” and his posting them began the process we now call the Protestant Reformation that led to the splitting off from Catholic church.

As the Reformation played itself out, people knew what they were. They were Catholic or Reformed. For some it was a choice, but for many where you were born or what tradition your regional prince or king followed determined what faith tradition you followed.
Fast forward 493 years and look around at the multitude of faith traditions found in the world and particularly for us the United States. People can choose from among many traditions – Protestant; Catholic; Jewish; Muslim; to name just a few.

And, loyalty to a particular faith tradition is fading.
A 2009 CBNNews.com survey shows most Protestant church-goers are open to a variety of denominations other than the one they currently attend.
Ellison Research, a national marketing company, found 51 percent prefer their denomination, but would consider others. Thirty-three percent of church-goers do not prefer any one denomination.(http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/us/2009/January/Denominational-Loyalty-on-Decline-)

To slice it another way, Sixteen percent of Protestant churchgoers are exclusively loyal to one denomination, and a total of 67% have a preferred denomination (even if they will consider others).
Let me put that in context for you: people today are as loyal to their faith tradition as they are to what brand of toothpaste they use; or what brand of toilet paper they use; or what type of pain reliever that buy; or what type of soft drink they choose.

·toothpaste (22% exclusive to one brand, with 64% expressing a brand preference)
·bathroom tissue (19% exclusive to one brand, with 59% expressing a brand preference)
·pain reliever (16% exclusive to one brand, with 57% expressing a brand preference)
·soft drinks (14% exclusive to one brand, with 70% expressing a brand preference)
http://www.greymatterresearch.com/index_files/Denominational_Loyalty.htm

On a broader scale, we also live in a time when non-Christians are much more visible in our lives and neighborhoods. In fact, Muslims are one of the fastest growing faith traditions in the United States http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html

In this changing face of church in the 21st century, in a world where people do not seem to know or care what it means to be Reformed, much less Presbyterian, how do we, a local congregation, tied to the Presbyterian denomination, live out its calling?

Move 1: How do we respond?
a. On the one hand, those same statistics suggest that now it is easier to win people over to the Presbyterian way of doing things.
1.With less loyalty to faith traditions, we could see members of other churches as our target.
2.If we sell ourselves better than their current churches, we will grow.
3.Of course in that case, the growth of the Presbyterian church will be offset by the decline of other local congregations.

b. I think that approach begs the question – what is our purpose as a church?
1.what does it mean to be called to the fellowship of Jesus Christ, as Paul describes our calling to the Corinthians?
2.I find the Acts passage fascinating because people are worried about what others are doing in the name of God.
3.Gamaliel has a wise response – let them alone; if they are of God, they will prosper and we should have left them alone; if they are not of God, then they will not be around very long.
4.I think we would be wise to not worry about how others are living out their calling, and instead focus on our own calling.

Move 2: We Presbyterians have some important gifts to share with the world.
a. Marj Carpenter tells a story originally told by Pete Peery about a Pennsylvania Quaker farmer, who was talking to his heifer. ‘heifer, thou art a cantankerous cow. Thou knowest I am a peacable man and will not strike thee. What thou dost not know, and what thou has not considered, is that I might sell thee to a Presbyterian.” “In This Corner,” The Presbyterian Outlook, 12/24/2007, 6.

Different gifts from a Quaker, or a Presbyterian, or a Methodist or a Catholic.
Here are some of the gifts we Presbyterians have to share (this is not the complete list, nor are these gifts exclusively Presbyterian.

b. It is okay to think as part of your faith.
1.The Presbyterian Church has traditionally emphasized education.
2.Clergy seminary trained.
3.In a world that increasingly does not want to engage in thoughtful process and instead rely on what I earlier this fall called bumper sticker theology, we invite people to ask questions, to challenge, to disagree.
4.One of the hallmarks of the Reformation was the importance of printing the Bible in the language of the people so that all people could have access to reading or hearing read the biblical texts in their language.
5.That presumed that people could think and interpret Scripture without being told by the church what was the right interpretation.
6.Critique – Careful not to create where only rational thinking is allowed. WE Presbyterians, have been accused at times of being so focused on rational thought we miss the spiritual and emotional side of things.

c.Emphasis on grace.
1.Martin Luther's discovery of God's grace was at the heart of his disagreement with the Catholic church.
2.He discovered in Paul's letter to the Romans that he did not have to earn salvation or that salvation could not be purchased for him by giving money to the Catholic church.
3.From those theological roots, we bring to our world today a reminder that God's grace lovingly welcomes us.
4.This is in contrast to many traditions that approach their faith from the perspective of fear. The threat of hell being the most compelling reason to turn to God.
5.We turn to God because God has lovingly claimed us, not because we fear an angry God.
6.Critique – grace without a response seems empty. Luther did not like James' letter than talked about works, but I think we recognize in James' mention of works that we respond to God's grace by living our lives in ways that show God's grace.

d.We model shared leadership
1.We have a system of governing our church that relies on many people in leadership.
2.There is not a Pope, a bishop or a minister who gets to make the decisions for the church.
3.We have a Session, elected by the congregation, to work together to lead the congregation.
4.We have welcomed women to ordained office as minister, elder and deacon.
5. WE are required to have leadership reflect the demographics of our congregation.
5.While that may seem like a no-brainer to us who gather here today, there are still many churches that deprive women leadership roles.
6.And certainly there are churches that defer all leadership decisions to the minister.
7.Constant struggle to be open to shared leadership.

e. Mission
1. Traditionally, Presbyterians have had a huge commitment to mission work.
2. Marj Carpenter, who tells the story of mission in the Presbyterian church better than anyone I know, has often noted that the Presbyterian Church has opened more mission fields in the world than any other denomination.
3. this congregation has self-identified itself as having a huge concern and passion for mission work.
4. In a self-centered world where concern for one's own self often takes first place; in a world where church's struggling to survive find it very easy to become only concerned about themselves, our commitment to mission ought to serve as a reminder that Christ sends us into the world to serve.
6. In other words, in our world where people get voted off the island or the lesser dancers get booted off the stage, or the people who lose less weight get sent home, we show that God cares about those voted off, booted off and sent home people.
7. And we are called to extend that care beyond ourselves to all in the world who need food, clothing and shelter, and freedom from oppression and injustice.
8. Challenge – to claim our identity as the body of Christ, instead of becoming like any other group that offers assistance.
9. We are continually challenged to figure out how to link our commitment to serving others with the God who sends us to serve.
8. In other words, people need to be fed physically and spiritually.

Conclusion: Almost 25 years ago I moved to a small town in east TX – Corsicana. I went to the Presbyterian church (they had one) when I was in town on Sunday. No one spoke to me for three months, except the minister, so naturally I joined. Then, no one spoke to me for another 3 months (I think it might have been because I wore a sweater in the new member photo instead of the expected coat and tie).

At the same time, I joined a young, single, adult group that was hosted by the Methodist church. Everyone in the group but me belonged to the Methodist church. I even moved in with the Associate Pastor of the Methodist church so we could both save some money.
People would ask me, “why don't you join the Methodist church?” I thought the question was crazy – I was Presbyterian, after all.

I also might note that I bought the same type of toothpaste every time.

Now, I use whatever toothpaste my wife brings home from the office. I'm partial to the fruity kids flavors, but also like the clean, crisp taste of some of those extra white toothpastes.

And, if I were to move to Corsicana, TX or Troy, OH as a young adult, I would go to the Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church, or the Catholic Church or the UCC church.

It is in that world that we share our gifts, our uniquely Presbyterian gifts.