Back in late June, Alison & I went to Pasadena to attend the Biennial Convention of the American Baptist Churches denomination. It was an enjoyable trip. (You can read more about the lighter side of the trip on Alison’s blog.) One of the main events was the vote on the proposed restructuring of the denomination. To be brief, I’d sum up the goals of the proposal with two phrases: streamlined organization and mission agility. The vote failed by a close 2%, and I was disappointed.
I perceived at least three factors that prevented the proposal from passing. First, I believe the primary problem was not with the content of the proposed by-laws but a communication gap between those who drafted the changes and the voting delegates. Second, there seemed to be significant misunderstandings about the effects of the changes. (Yep, this is related to #1.) Finally, there were certainly some who just plain didn’t want anything to change—they felt no sense of urgency for changing the current organization. (Yep, this one’s also related to #1.)
And here are some bytes of my reflection. #1 – This doesn’t affect our day-to-day life much…even if it would’ve passed. #2 – How many more years will the denomination be viable without some restructuring & refocusing like what was proposed? #3 – How many Sunday morning attendees ever see any value of our denomination anyway? Will we see more and more denominational churches become either nonexistent or nondenominational? #4 – I think there is a fundamental hypocrisy afoot: that it’s more important to speak truth than to live truth. #5 – If the restructuring would’ve passed, I would’ve been more interested in going to the next Biennial (in Puerto Rico!), which would have centered around a Mission Summit. #6 – Maintaining a religious institution is no fun (and sinful?); trying to keep large numbers of us American believers agile and sensitive to what God is doing in our backyards—that sounds like an adventure I’d sign up for.
7.28.2009
7.22.2009
Was I Judgmental?
My brother, Ryan, and I took Dad to the Cardinals game last Friday for a late Father’s Day gift. (Great game—Cards won 6-1. Saw 2 Albert Pujols HR’s!) We parked in the Macy’s parking garage and were briskly striding down to Busch Stadium just before game time. I think we were almost to Mike Shannon’s Restaurant when we passed a young lady holding a sign…I can’t remember exactly what it said, but something about being homeless and wanting help. Besides being a beggar, the first thing I noticed about her was that she was wearing a good amount of makeup (not too much, but certainly noticeable).
A few more strides down the sidewalk I turned around to Dad & Ryan, “If you’re gonna be homeless and ask for money, don’t put on makeup." Then, another couple strides and, "I’m not saying she isn’t homeless or need the help, I’m just saying that if you’re gonna do it, you gotta play the part.”
Now my thought process was that her chances of success might be better if she didn’t wear makeup…that if someone (like myself at least) sees her in makeup would justify not helping by thinking ‘she’s wearing makeup so she must not need help that badly.’
But then I thought later, ‘What if someone else gave her that makeup and she’s wearing it because it makes her feel better, or what if it’s her makeup and she’s wearing it because it salvages a little bit of a sense of dignity for her. Am I being judgmental?’
Then, this morning, while I’m meeting with a youth who wanted to know more about the habit of giving offerings, we read Proverbs 19:17 & Proverbs 21:13.
It was a great game, a great evening with the three of us Donoho boys, but not without another reminder that I’m still a wretched man in need of a Savior. Thank you, Jesus!
A few more strides down the sidewalk I turned around to Dad & Ryan, “If you’re gonna be homeless and ask for money, don’t put on makeup." Then, another couple strides and, "I’m not saying she isn’t homeless or need the help, I’m just saying that if you’re gonna do it, you gotta play the part.”
Now my thought process was that her chances of success might be better if she didn’t wear makeup…that if someone (like myself at least) sees her in makeup would justify not helping by thinking ‘she’s wearing makeup so she must not need help that badly.’
But then I thought later, ‘What if someone else gave her that makeup and she’s wearing it because it makes her feel better, or what if it’s her makeup and she’s wearing it because it salvages a little bit of a sense of dignity for her. Am I being judgmental?’
Then, this morning, while I’m meeting with a youth who wanted to know more about the habit of giving offerings, we read Proverbs 19:17 & Proverbs 21:13.
It was a great game, a great evening with the three of us Donoho boys, but not without another reminder that I’m still a wretched man in need of a Savior. Thank you, Jesus!
7.02.2009
Two Leftover Pieces of Pizza
While attending the American Baptist Churches Biennial Conference in Pasadena, CA, we tried out several resturants in Old Pasadena. On Saturday, we ate at The Kitchen Italian Café & Pizzeria. With a coupon we shared a small salad, a cheese bread appetizer, and a medium, 2-topping (Italian sausage & mushroom), New York style pizza. There were two large slices leftover.
Now, we’re staying in a hotel—we don’t have a fridge. And we’re not even going back to the hotel until later that afternoon. We’d planned to walk several blocks to a Starbucks for coffee & internet access next. Still, within a four-sentence exchange Alison & I decided to have our leftovers boxed up. If we saw a person along the way begging, we could give it to them. If we didn’t, we could just throw it away at that time since that's what the resturant would do anyway.
So we walked 4-5 blocks. No such people in need like there often had been during previous walks. Alison suggested we cross diagonally (is California the only place that does these diagonal crosswalks--who knew?!). We walked another 2-3 blocks and saw a young couple dirty and seated on the sidewalk. “Spare change for travel money?”
“Want some pizza?”
“Sure.”
(There was a sense of relief and satisfaction as we kept walking.) Then not a full block later, a young lady, who while we were handing off the pizza had passed us, turns back around and asked, “Do you know where a Starbuck’s is?” We then explained that there were two Starbucks on the street and she was closest to the one straight ahead just a few more blocks. She thanked us and walked on ahead of us.
::: Being recognized as helpful people is an important prerequisite for helping people find their Way. :::
Now, we’re staying in a hotel—we don’t have a fridge. And we’re not even going back to the hotel until later that afternoon. We’d planned to walk several blocks to a Starbucks for coffee & internet access next. Still, within a four-sentence exchange Alison & I decided to have our leftovers boxed up. If we saw a person along the way begging, we could give it to them. If we didn’t, we could just throw it away at that time since that's what the resturant would do anyway.
So we walked 4-5 blocks. No such people in need like there often had been during previous walks. Alison suggested we cross diagonally (is California the only place that does these diagonal crosswalks--who knew?!). We walked another 2-3 blocks and saw a young couple dirty and seated on the sidewalk. “Spare change for travel money?”
“Want some pizza?”
“Sure.”
(There was a sense of relief and satisfaction as we kept walking.) Then not a full block later, a young lady, who while we were handing off the pizza had passed us, turns back around and asked, “Do you know where a Starbuck’s is?” We then explained that there were two Starbucks on the street and she was closest to the one straight ahead just a few more blocks. She thanked us and walked on ahead of us.
::: Being recognized as helpful people is an important prerequisite for helping people find their Way. :::
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
