This past weekend, I went on a "Walk to Emmaus" retreat.
I kept a notebook during the walk, and at one point I wrote that the experience was like "Benedict meeting Wesley". There were elements of the weekend that I definitely recognized as having monastic roots - especially the Grand Silence which began after chapel service on the first night and lasted until breakfast the next morning. Also, there were several times of quiet guided meditations in the church, an "Examination of Conscience" and daily communion. Although we did not say daily offices per se, yet there was a daily morning and evening prayer form and even the inclusion of the Prayer of St. Francis in our prayer book and each of the 15 talks began with the Prayer to the Holy Spirit. So there was much with which a monastic could be comfortable. (Though I must say that , try as I may, I was unable to categorize the frequent singing of the Emmaus theme song as chant...)
One thing that somewhat surprised me was the iconic use of the famous portrait of Christ by Salomon. A large version of the portrait was placed on an easel near the altar in the church, prompting me to think of it as "The Protestant Icon". There really seems to be something within us that needs to connect visually with the image of Christ.
Emmaus is the Methodist-sponsored version of the Roman Catholic "Cursillo", which means 'a short course' in Christianity. There are basic teaching talks given by lay people and clergy, with time for reflection and creative interaction with the messages - and plenty of serious sharing and fun as well.
Perhaps one of the most touching things about the experience is the realization that there are LOTS of people behind the scenes volunteering their time just so that a small group of Pilgrims can go on the Walk. Hundreds of people volunteer to make sure you can be uplifted in the Lord. Then, with some other very special services, there is a real sense of community created - one which continues after the weekend with regular reunions.
Since there are so many opportunities for lay and clergy involvement, I'm sure that I will chip in on future walks. There is also the possibility of having some role in 'Karios' prison ministry weekends later on.
Friday, April 28, 2006
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
The Market Driven Life
Coming home from church on Good Friday, Cindy and I were listening to “This American Life” on the Public Radio station. The show included a segment about a man who, reflecting on the startling statistic that 30% of Americans claim either ‘no religious preference’ or are dissatisfied with their previous affiliation. He wondered what it might be like if one were to devise a religion totally based on market research. So he proceeded to hire a research firm and conducted a focus group with some 35 people.
The group was first asked to describe what they believe. This was apparently a tough assignment, because they spent the better part of 45 minutes complaining about what is wrong with current religions. After considerable prodding they managed to come to a consensus that Nature sounds and relaxing colors, and aroma therapy were ‘spiritual’. One should strive not to hurt anyone and be Good. That’s it - the entire spectrum of the market-driven religion.
This led the commentator to speculate that the ideal Market-Driven Religion could replace the traditional church building with a spa-like setting in which one could retreat to an individualized spirituality pod – complete with customizable sounds and smells Clergy would be replaced by spiritual attendants (“Want lavender with your meditation?”), and the overall atmosphere would be “Peaceful”. If indeed this is the wave of the future, we Christians are ‘most to be pitied’ (I Cor. 15:19), hoping as we do in the resurrection of Christ, who died for our sins (such a retro concept).
It does, however, raise some interesting possibilities for those churches who chose to stay with ECUSA after the General Apostasy Convention in June. Why not just jettison the entire outmoded superstructure of traditional Christian Theology and upgrade to a user-friendly “Spirituality Center” franchise? Gone would be all those troublesome conflicts over doctrine, adherence to rigid belief systems and guilt-producing appeals for money. Instead a simple one-time membership fee and various convenient User Plans could cover costs with a swift swipe of the Debit or Credit card. Sexuality and other lifestyle issues would be purely preference driven and no one would feel the need to condemn another. A perfect solution to all the bickering and negativity!
Well...I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to embrace that content-free designer spirituality! We have such excellent fathers and mothers in Francis and Clare, Scholastica and Benedict! Let us hold fast to the historic faith once delivered, and powerfully modeled by our forebears. And let us love one another, that the whole world might know we are Christ's disciples and that Jesus is Lord, to the Glory of the Father! Amen.
The group was first asked to describe what they believe. This was apparently a tough assignment, because they spent the better part of 45 minutes complaining about what is wrong with current religions. After considerable prodding they managed to come to a consensus that Nature sounds and relaxing colors, and aroma therapy were ‘spiritual’. One should strive not to hurt anyone and be Good. That’s it - the entire spectrum of the market-driven religion.
This led the commentator to speculate that the ideal Market-Driven Religion could replace the traditional church building with a spa-like setting in which one could retreat to an individualized spirituality pod – complete with customizable sounds and smells Clergy would be replaced by spiritual attendants (“Want lavender with your meditation?”), and the overall atmosphere would be “Peaceful”. If indeed this is the wave of the future, we Christians are ‘most to be pitied’ (I Cor. 15:19), hoping as we do in the resurrection of Christ, who died for our sins (such a retro concept).
It does, however, raise some interesting possibilities for those churches who chose to stay with ECUSA after the General Apostasy Convention in June. Why not just jettison the entire outmoded superstructure of traditional Christian Theology and upgrade to a user-friendly “Spirituality Center” franchise? Gone would be all those troublesome conflicts over doctrine, adherence to rigid belief systems and guilt-producing appeals for money. Instead a simple one-time membership fee and various convenient User Plans could cover costs with a swift swipe of the Debit or Credit card. Sexuality and other lifestyle issues would be purely preference driven and no one would feel the need to condemn another. A perfect solution to all the bickering and negativity!
Well...I don't know about you, but I'm not ready to embrace that content-free designer spirituality! We have such excellent fathers and mothers in Francis and Clare, Scholastica and Benedict! Let us hold fast to the historic faith once delivered, and powerfully modeled by our forebears. And let us love one another, that the whole world might know we are Christ's disciples and that Jesus is Lord, to the Glory of the Father! Amen.
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