Someone sent me a link to a story from the United Church of Christ. You can read the entire article here.
The article begins, “Highlighting the need for churches to be places of spiritual and physical wellness, UCAN, Inc. (United Church of Christ HIV and AIDS Network) has issued a statement encouraging condom distribution at places of worship.”
Now I grew up in a very conservative tradition, but I work very hard to be understanding of differing viewpoints. I also think its a great idea for the church to care for the physical needs of people as well as spiritual. But passing out condoms during church? Is this a practical joke? Am I missing the seriousness of the need to pass out condoms? I understand the need to prevent disease. I understand the desire for people to want to help. But passing out condoms at places of Worship?
How can the church stand for bringing people into wholeness under the Shalom of God and at the same time support a practice that undermines the longterm health and stability of our culture? I know its considered old- fashioned to support the idea that sex should be reserved only for a lifelong commited relationship. But if the church never stands apart from the prevailing culture, then what’s the point of being Ekklesia in the first place? What do you think? Is this is a good way to support the community? Do you agree/disagree?
It has long been rumored that the suburbs are an attempt for upwardly mobile people to find a safe and convenient environment to raise children, live in nice, clean neighborhoods, and remain insulated from the difficulties of city life. Then there’s Rancho Sahuarita.
This community is located just outside of Tucson Arizona. I was channel surfing the other night during commercials and I saw a piece about it on Nightline. It is basically a gated suburb complete with private water park, post office, rec center, market, etc… built by literally reclaiming the desert. The houses are state of the art- equipped with wifi and access to the community’s own intranet as well. In order to be part of the community, you just have to purchase a house. As I looked over the website it seemed so idyllic- so small town America- like a re-creation of the fabricated town in the movie The Truman Show.
I found myself contemplating what it would be like to live in a place that had all the conveniences of modern life within walking distance- only cleaner and safer. But as I think about it, it also seems a bit sad that people with means would opt out of communities in need and create their own world within a nice, neat, prepackaged bubble. It seems so escapist and self centered. I guess there’s nothing inherently wrong with seeking a stable place to live and raise your families. But don’t we already have that in your average suburb outside of most every American metropolitan area? Why go the extra mile and remove yourself from society at large? Is it just an attempt to create a new reality? Or is it even possible to escape the difficulties of “real” life? it seems that people have been seeking a more convenient life for thousands of years. I guess my struggle with this constant quest for a better life- for peace- for happiness- for more… by our own hand is, how much is enough? And when will we finally be happy enough?
When I read the Bible I am struck by the fact that God is always chasing- engaging- seeking people. His own son became a man and was present with people. In fact, Jesus was always going into “forbidden” areas and rubbing elbows with people who were “unclean.” Could the same be said of those who claim to follow him today? Are we chasing- engaging- seeking those in our culture? Are we active in the lives of those even within our own neighborhoods? Or are we busy chasing that same illusive “happiness” that the “pagans”chase?
“To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming,
is the only end of life.”- Baruch Spinoz
I have been more impressed with this movie each time I have watched it. Having 5 kids at home, we tend to watch movies our kids like over and over again. I just can’t escape the way the writers portray the hero of the film. Po is the typical “lazy, goofy, Chris Farley type” who saves the village from the, seemingly unstoppable, bad guy intent on destroying the town and stealing its most prized possession, the dragon scroll. It’s really fun to watch. But its underlying message is profound. Po is “chosen” by master Oogway as the dragon warrior, to the great dismay of everyone else involved. He is a fat, clumsy panda, prefers eating to working, and, though he admires his Kung Fu idols, is seemingly devoid of any ability to protect his village from its enemies. And yet, Po saves his village, not by accident, but by realizing his unique gifts and abilities that were there all along. Master Oogway believes Po is the dragon warrior. Po was chosen because of his potential. The definition of potential is, “capable of being or becoming.” The rest of the film is dedicated to Po realizing his potential through training at the feet of his master and becoming the dragon warrior.
I think there are some powerful lessons here for followers of Jesus. Potential students did not come to Jesus and ask to be his disciples. He went to them and invited them. He said things like, “Come, follow me,” and “You did not choose me, I chose you.” So when he made the choice, it was not because they were the best of the best, but because he saw within them the potential to be just like the master. We tend to see discipleship in the Western world as education, a science. But Jesus lived and taught in the Eastern world. In the East, discipleship is a learned art. Think Kung Fu. So When we commit ourselves to being His disciples, it’s as though he is saying, “I believe you can become just like me- the master.” In Christ we already have all the tools and ability necessary to “be just like the master.” The challenge for us, then, is will we submit ourselves to become just like him?
Church, Culture, Politics, Pop Culture, Society and Culture, Uncategorized | Mike | 
April 10, 2009 10:07 am | 
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