Mountaintops

It's been a good week. Seeing old friends and making new ones. Enjoying the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Witnessing the fruition of long-worked-on dreams and plans. Playing with the family. Being surrounded by the wonderful people who are the Covenant Church. It's been good.

The Feast was marvelous. Individuals and families experiencing the Spirit through learning experiences, worship, and play. Friendships breaking out all over. From early morning to late at night, people took advantage of opportunities to try new things out, to relax, to learn, to rest in the Lord. My part (Awakenings and Spiritual Learning Experiences) pretty much met or exceeded our expectations. Families did dress-up bible stories. Some learned of prayer through the music of Johnny Cash and Ralph Stanley. Others learned how to use a camera as an avenue of meeting God. Ancient prayers and prayer in a wired-world held the attention of small groups. Some met Christ in the pool, others on a morning jog. Attention was paid to the Spirit's presence along a mountain trail. And some learned better how to see God in the people around them. My only sorrow is that it was all over so soon.

The Covenant Annual meeting has been good, as well. We are a blessed people. Mission is strong, the budget is healthy, the leadership maintain a strong dependence on the Spirit. Worship remains rich. meetings are punctuated by lightheartedness. Yet there are painful moments - the list of those being removed from ministry roles included friends of mine. Time has been spent remembering ministers, missionaries, and spouses who have died in the last year. Churches have been closed.

Through it all, a strong spirit of unity prevails - that great Covenant freedom in unity.

Life is full of unexpected twists and turns; random conversations lead to entirely new worlds. I could be just about anywhere right now. And I find myself wondering how I am so blessed to be part of this great Covenant mission. How marvelous, how wonderful, is my savior's love for me.

Archived pictures of the Feast can be found here: http://www.covchurch.org/feast/photos/


Archived video of the Feast (including the highlight video) can be found here: http://covchurch.tv/category/events/the-feast/


Photos of the Annual Meeting can be found at: http://www.covchurch.org/am/photos/


Video of the Annual Meeting is being posted at: http://covchurch.tv/category/events/annual-meeting/annual-meeting-2011/

Making the best of things

Turns out North Park Seminary president Jay Phelan was stuck in Stockholm because of the volcano, too. So we met up for lunch yesterday. Which is a little ironic, because he was supposed to be in Seattle at the North Pacific Conference Annual Meeting. Instead, Derek and I got him all to ourselves.

We took the girls swimming yesterday afternoon. Something I noticed in Iceland was true here, as well. No lifeguards. Is that because these countries aren't lawsuit happy like in America? Or do they just not care if people drown? I should also mention the waterslide was concrete. And I broke my kneecaps and my skull going down. Not literally, but you get the idea. That being said, the girls had a lot of fun and we all got some exercise. In addition we've been out seeing the sights; if you check out my twitter, you've read that we got to P.P. Waldenström's grave a couple days ago. Today we're off to the free museum downtown.

Unfortunately, time passes, and now I have to start the process of figuring out whether or not we can get to London next week, or if we have to head home. More phone calls to airlines. . .

Denver

I've been in Denver this week for the annual Covenant Midwinter Conference. And I'm having a good time.

Each Midwinter is different for me; some have been about encouragement, some about growing and learning, some about worship. This one seems to have been all about connecting. Beginning with the plane flight out, it's been one good conversation after another.

Of course, that first conversation definitely rates as memorable; Doug and I sat next to a woman who practices acutonic therapy - acupuncture using sound instead of needles. She rings a planetary gong and reads your spirit, and then applies sound to release healing and realign your body and soul with the positive energy of the universe. Or something along those lines, anyway.

Since then I've sat and talked with old friends from California and Oregon, connected with a few missionaries we know; tonight I enjoyed coffee with Dale Kuehne, author of Sex and the IWorld, a book I reviewed not long ago on this blog. After that, I went to dinner with the youth pastor at Cornerstone, the church I served in California before heading up to Washington. We had a quick meeting of the Feast 2011 team, as well, which got me excited once again for that whole endeavor. Oh - and I've had the joy of meeting face-to-face with a number of people I usually only see online, which is definitely a pleasure.

On the whole, the worship has been rich, and most of the speakers have been encouraging and challenging. Tonight I had the privilege of being one of the communion severs. It was a powerful experience. Even at Lakebay, I hand the elements off to the servers and let them serve, so it's rare that I get to stand and watch face after face pass by, experiencing the risen Christ right in front of me. It was good.

Tomorrow we fly home, stopping briefly in Salt Lake City, a place I've never been. And I hope to resurrect this blog sometime soon upon returning. For now. . .I need to go pack the suitcase.

Rocky Mountain High

I'm heading off to Colorado tomorrow, to join with the planning committee of Feast 2011. The Feast is the Covenant's once-every-three-years family camp, always preceding the denominational annual meeting. In 2011, it will be held at the YMCA of the Rockies, so that's where we're gathering for this first planning meeting. It's always a blessing to be a part of these things, meeting and hanging out with other good Covenant people, enjoying the excitement of anticipating the many ways God's going to use this group and these plans to touch people's lives. I think I know about 1/2 of the team already, and look forward to meeting the rest.

Before all is said and done, I get to spend a night with a friend and former youth group member, now living in Denver as well. So, really, this should be a good week.

Except for this little head cold, and the prospect of leaving Karina home with two sick kids. So if you get a chance to pray for all of us. . .we'd appreciate it.

In the meantime, they tell me there's wireless internet up there in the Rockies (what would John Denver have said about that?) so expect some updates from there.

Thursday Stuff

Maestro Louis Labayan, conductor of the Gig Harbor Peninsula Symphony Orchesta, has asked Manny Garcia (First Chair Trumpet) and myself if we could come up with some exciting music for trumpet and organ, to be performed at our Holiday Concert in December.

So yes, that is Christmas music playing in the background. I was going to hold off until late November, but this is an unfortunate research-related necessity.

Currently, I'm listening to Brass Mosaic's A Brass Christmas.
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I was playing around with some ideas for an updated church bulletin, and came up with a new revised version of the Covenant Affirmations. What do you think?

As part of the Evangelical Covenant Church, we affirm:
1. People ought to read the Bible
2. People need to get converted
3. People need to listen to the Holy Spirit
4. We need to do stuff for God
5. The Church is God's people
6. We all need to play nice
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This morning, Wes, Tammy, Ron and I went and toured Camp Colman, in preparation for our Alpha retreat there in a couple weeks. I'm excited. . .
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The Gig Garbor Gateway published a very nice article about last Sunday's Blessing ceremony for Fire, Law, EMT, EMS personnel, and included a lovely picture of Olivia and Clara climbing into a fire truck. The only problem was that the Gateway gave our girls boys' names on accident.

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Lakebay people: we're going to be singing a new song on Sunday. If you want to learn it ahead of time, watch this:

Sermon Prep #1

This summer at Lakebay Community Church, we've been working through the Covenant Affirmations, the six core statements that help define and root us in our own unique tributary of the Church. As summer slowly winds down, we're also reaching the end, and this Sunday brings us to affirmation #6: The reality of Freedom in Christ.

This affirmation is probably the one that drew me most strongly toward the Covenant Church. Having spent too much time among those fine folks who spend their days slinging mud and arrows at those who hold slightly different positions on theological minutia, I was looking for a place that spent less time debating and demeaning and more time serving and ministering. I found that place in the Covenant Church, and am ever grateful that we are defined by this idea of true freedom to disagree over secondary issues while focusing in on carrying out the work of the Kingdom.

Much of it comes down to Psalm 119:63 - "I am a friend of all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts." Key is that word "friend." Friendship takes this to a whole new level. We're not just talking about "putting up with" or "being cordial toward." Friendship implies looking beyond differences and finding commonalities upon which to build strong, positive relationships. Friendship implies enjoying each other, looking out for each other, seeking the best for the other, and even (gasp) learning to like each other.

I've mentioned here before that sometimes I forget. I get so used to living in this stream, where we discuss theology and practical ministry, and then go out for pizza, sharing in each other's lives, caring about each other's families, supporting each other in our particular ministries. It's so. . .freeing. Which is what freedom is supposed to be about.

Then I make the mistake of assuming I'll get the same treatment in an online theological forum, or talking to a 'fellow believer' at the coffee shop. Only, when I mention I just may not be a true 5-point Calvinist, or I just may not completely agree with Darby's understanding of the end times, or I may just not completely buy into supralapsarianism, they begin to treat me as if I have an open, infectious wound and I'm spewing a deadly virus into the air. And 'friendship' isn't exactly the word I would use to describe the sudden shift in our relationship.

Of course, it pushes back out into the bigger world, doesn't it. In so many areas we as a society have lost the ability to carry out civil conversations, let alone maintain friendships, with people who disagree with us over any and every issue, be it music preference, favorite TV show, or, gasp, politics.

It would be all too easy right now to speak national politics. But I want to keep it local.

Across the state of Washington, any number of fire departments were seeking the passage of levies yesterday, hoping to raise extra tax money to pay for much needed staffing and improvements as other sources of funding have dribbled to a halt. And, as of this morning, all but one of those levy lifts was passing. The only one to lose was our own Key Peninsula Fire District 16.

And why did it lose? I'm sure some voted against it because they can't afford to pay more taxes, I'm sure others had other valid reasons for voting against it. But, by and large, it seems most voted against it because we have two fire commissioners out here who haven't figured out how to get along. How to be a friend toward those who disagree, how to set aside personal issues and focus on the bigger mission of supporting our local fire department.

And, because these two have not learned how to be civil, how to carry on a conversation, how to live in the freedom of disagreement, they have instead turned toward antics like smear campaigns, illegal back-room meetings, lying, and, in one famous instance, attacking with a coffee mug.

So this week I'm spending time pondering what it means to behave civilly, and to pursue friendships with people who hold to different understandings of Truth and the nature of reality, to be kind and considerate even with those who hold theological positions which I consider just plain silly, to pursue friendship over being right, relationship over getting my own way. . .and at the same time I'm watching our local fire department being dealt a serious blow, simply because two men can't, in fact, just get along.

What about you? Can you think of other places where this idea of "Freedom to disagree" has played out in such a way that it was life-giving, and community-affirming? Or have you seen what we've just seen here, a time where people's inability to set aside differences eventually led to painful division and disaster?

Anybody want to share?

Random Tuesday

- Some are forecasting that tomorrow will be the hottest day ever recorded in the Seattle area. I suppose it's too late to get my pool put in.

- While the temperature has been rising, the Mariners are in the midst of an uncontrollable plummet. Surely one of the nice surprises of this year's baseball season, they seem, sadly, to have returned back to earth.

- Tomorrow morning, around 10:00, Lakebay Community Church has our meeting with the Pierce County planning folks, as we continue the process of acquiring the conditional use permit on our KP Highway property.

- Yeah, I know. We're way behind the times. But Karina and I finally watched Slumdog Millionaire last night.

- In case you missed it, William Shatner reciting Sarah Palin's farewell speech.

- Speaking of politics. . .Remember back in the 90s, when a certain type of conservative spent way too much time and energy trying to uncover supposed hidden crimes of then-President Clinton? It all started with Whitewater, then went on to many supposed rapes, and ended up wasting how much money and time in a failed impeachment, all because he lied under oath about a sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky? And so, rather than accomplishing anything positive, instead of moving ahead and setting out a worthwhile agenda, the Republicans spent their time acting out of spite and bitterness in an ill-fated attempt to besmirch Clinton. You know, the classic junior high game of "If I can't beat you, I'll call you names." Right. And now we're at it all over again, with this "birther" movement. Rather than actually doing something positive for this country, we're simply going to sling mud at the rightfully-elected president. Listen, folks. We have two options. We can be adults, and move forward on fixing this country, or we can behave like petulant children who would rather pout over in the corner, complaining about "how unfair it all is." And no, I'm not necessarily a fan of Obama; I'd just rather see us focusing on More Important Issues, and not becoming bogged down in mud-slinging.

- Finally, from the Covenant Website: "Annette Knofel, 59, wife of Evangelical Covenant Church Pastor Bruce Knofel, was killed Sunday evening in a traffic accident near Anchorage. . ." Lord, have mercy.

My Interview with Debbie Blue, Parts 1-3

Debbie Blue is the Executive Minister of the Department of Compassion, Mercy, and Justice for the Evangelical Covenant Church. She was one of the keynote speakers at last Saturday's Leadership Matrix training event for the North Pacific Conference. Since I was preaching Sunday on Amos 5:18ff ("Let justice roll down like mighty waters. . ."), I interviewed Debbie, asking her thoughts on this issue of Biblical Justice.

For your convenience, I've divided the interview up into five sections.

Part 1: What is Justice?



Part 2: What are instances of Injustice in the world?



Part 3: What can the Church do to pursue Justice?



Parts 4-5 tomorrow

Hey Doc - can you help me kill myself?

I've had a few people ask what I think about I-1000, the "assisted suicide" initiative here in Washington. To those still undecided, here are two resources that you might find helpful:

The 1997 Covenant Church Resolution on Assisted Suicide

The 2005 Covenant Resolution on Consistently Protecting and Promoting Life

Just What Everybody Needs

A Covenant Church for your model railroad set.


This model is called "Covenant Church with Parsonage." I can't seem to find it on their order form, but according to this ad on the Model Railroader website, it's only $98.25.

Oddly, that MR website flips their pictures, and actually shows this image as the "Covenant Church with Parsonage":

Maybe this answers my earlier question

One blessing of our trip home from San Francisco was spending the night at Valley Covenant Church in Eugene, Oregon. For some time I've known the pastor of Valley Covenant, Steve Bilynskyj, through various mutual friendships and Covenant activities.

Over the years I've become friends with Steve's wife Beth, as well. Only it's all been online. Beth and I are both on Abet, a Covenant e-mail discussion list, so we've interacted there for 5-6 years. Beth is a blogger, and I read her stuff regularly. And I know she checks in here at my Hole in the Wall pretty, leaving kind comments from time to time. So we've become friends without ever actually meeting.

It was thus a pleasure to find myself sitting in the foyer of her church on Sunday morning as she walked in and introduced herself to the group. It was even more a joy to worship next to her and share the Lord's Supper with her. And I think she and Karina hit it off well, too.

I guess this is an answer to all that pondering I was doing a few weeks ago, wondering if technology can actually enhance life and give aid to the things that are truly important to me. Because it was kind of like old friends meeting again, and in many ways, technology made that possible.

Or, to be more precise, it was good people properly using technology that made that possible. Maybe there's an answer there worth pursuing.

I'm Off (but you already suspected that)

For the next three days I'll be commuting across the pond to Tacoma, to take part in the Annual Meeting of the North Pacific Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church, and the Annual Meeting of the North Pacific Conference Ministerial Association. In other words, meetings and meals. The best part is always connecting with new friends and old.

Just don't be worried if this space remains silent for the next few days.

Must be that time of year

Doug and Gene flew back to Chicago for Youth Workers Connection/Worship Leaders Connection this morning. 48 hours from now I'll be in the air heading toward Chicago for the Covenant's Midwinter Conference. And to get me in the mood, it just started snowing outside.

I think the highlight of the week for me, other than hanging out with all the friends I've made over the last ten years, is going to be the morning sessions brought by Miroslav Volf. His Exclusion and Embrace still haunts my thinking, after reading it 5 years ago for a seminary class.

Annual Meeting Blogging

As it turns out, the Jantzen Beach Red Lion Inn has free wi-fi, so I can blog from inside the Annual Meeting. Now if it was only as exciting as most political conventions. . .

I walked in the hotel lobby and saw Gary and Marilyn Peterson. We went to lunch at Taco Bell. While we ate, in walked the Patersons. And I've already seen quite a few other friends around. Nobody from Turlock yet, although Karina and the girls were supposed to meet the Dockters this afternoon.

The Ministerial Association Annual Meeting is beginning right now, with the reading of the standing rules of order. Let the fun begin (wish you could be here, Brad?)

A couple of things

- I'm heading down to the Covenant Annual Meeting tomorrow through Saturday, so I don't know if I'll be blogging anything over the next few days. I do look forward to seeing some old friends and maybe making some new ones. We're staying with my aunt and uncle in Tigard, so should have some good family time. And I hear Bruce and Katy are up from Turlock. . .

- Today was, I think, one of the final visits to the eye doctor for awhile. We've arrived at the place where it's about as good as it's gonna get. I had to accept that, due to the nature of this corneal thing, it just won't ever be perfect and pain-free. The lens that's in now is the lesser of all evils, according to Dr. Ralph. It gets me to 20/25 vision, and it mostly stays where it's supposed to. Although if I look to the right, it has a tendency to pop out. So if you want to sneak up on me, come from the right, as I won't be looking that way much. He did say technology is moving along rapidly, and hopefully in another 10 years they might be able to do a transplant that will take care of the whole thing. So until then, we make do.

- If I was a sociologist, this is what I'd study: It seems we've become a society who expect to have private moments in public spaces. There was an article in the P-I the other day about a park near Pike Place Market that is famous for two things: being a huge draw to tourists because of the view, and being a haven for homeless people, including many drug addicts. The arguments fly back and forth - compassion and understanding for the homeless vs. lock 'em all up so we can have a nice clean park. But I think, underlying it all, is the assumption that "I" can go to a public park and have a private little time there, not having to put up with other people, especially people I don't particularly care for. In reading the comments under this article, I sensed this idea again and again. "I should be able to go to a park and not have to be bothered by other people." The fact that they are homeless is merely a mask for the underlying feeling that public space should become private space.

I know it's not this way in other cultures. You go out in public to interact with the public. I don't think it was this way in America all that long ago - whenever we went camping we made the effort to meet our neighbors. But more and more, we are autonomous individuals assuming we can make our way through public space without having to interact with others (think ipods). And it comes to a head here - I should be able to go to the park and have my little time there and not have to have any interaction with others.

Anyway, I need to think it through more. Maybe you can comment and spur my thinking more.

As to the article in the other Seattle Paper about the Episcopalian Priest who claims also to be a Muslim. . .it's been too long a day to comment.