easter between the two worlds

Christ is risen indeed!  Ok...now what?  What does that mean exactly?  During Lent, we acknowledge darkness and absence of hope.  The resurrection promise holds that new life, a better world is possible.  It opens the way for radical hope.  Easter worship at Arch St. Pres and BSM represent this claim in two differing ways.

Arch Street Presbyterian has been in the process of revitalization.  We have been building new ministry there in a congregation that was quite dim.  A congregation should never be defined by numbers, but new life is a valued commodity in a congregation void of such.  Therefore, when we had a 50% increase in people in worship, MOSTLY young adult couples, the vision of the resurrection promise became visible.  A church in the business district of the city can become a unique place for worship and mission.  New life can blow through an old place.

BSM is a church community to many of the city's most desolate people.  Holy Week took on such greater depth as it coincided with the annual closing of the 315 S. Homeless Cafe for the spring/summer/fall.  Basically, 300 people throughout the city were put back on the street after temporary housing for winter months came to an end and homeless shelters remained at capacity.  This Easter Sunday, BSM experienced the OPPOSITE of what usual "churches" experience on Easter Sunday.  There were noticeably LESS people in worship!  Although this may have been in large part to an evening service, you can't help but notice the absence of many of the usual Cafe guests.  During the months they stayed at BSM, they had a sense of ownership and empowerment in the place.  This is gone, for now.

This absence on Sunday, despite a wonderfully energetic, exciting, and moving service, was the reminder that the resurrection promise is not an end into itself.  The very poor and destitute people Christ lived among and promised a better world to are now back on the street.  This is a reminder of the stark world we live in and our calling from Christ to serve it faithfully.  The resurrection promise propels us forth to radically live out how Christ calls us to be.

The story goes on.

imagining worship

As we continue to develop the vision for Arch Street Presbyterian Church, we've been spending some time in theological exploration!  In this exploration, we've been conversing on what we imagine worship should and shouldn't be.  I will share my thoughts and invite your comments!  Please share your own list!

Worship Should:
-Present and experience the good news of the gospel (giving people hope and encouragement)
-Express how God has spoken to humanity in history and continues to speak in our current time
-Bring people together in a way that breaks down physical barriers of division
-Lead a vision of community that treats all people as children of God
-Motivate and teach the community to go forth into the world as promoters of peace and justice.
-Send people forth into the world

Worship Shouldn't:
-Avoid difficult concepts or stories in Scripture
-Water down prophetic messages
-Be too focused on individual experience
-Serve as an emotional high or be a place to show off piety
-Exclude the curious, doubters, and ‘enemies’ of the church
-Promote social or societal norms that are divisive (family models, wealth, and appearance)
-Serve as a practical ‘how-to experience’
-Always leave people feeling “comfortable”
-Promote wealth or prosperity
-Ignore sacred traditions or new models
-Worry about pleasing everyone
-Fear silence

What's the point of church anyway?

I apologize for taking forever to do a new post!  Quick update: things have been in fairly high gear over here as both campuses prepare for the end of the year sprint!  At BSM, the Breaking Bread program has been going full force!  This has been an incredible opportunity to witness what it means for 100 poor, often homeless, people to come in, get food, and be treated as humans for a couple hours out of their day.  We offer lunch and social services such as haircuts, a clothing closet, benefits bank, and hygiene kits to name a few.  I've enjoyed these meals as it gives me a chance to really develop my relationship with the regulars that come in our doors.  They have incredible stories to share.  At Arch Street Pres, we have been gearing up for the Advent season!  We are looking at starting some mid-week afternoon services for the working population in downtown Philly.  The congregation has been gaining momentum and life thanks to 2 great sundays where we had meal fellowship following the service!  As far as my personal self is concerned, call or visit to see how I'm doing!

I've also been lacking inspiration for posts, which may be a case of some fatigue - it can be hard to keep up with all the posting!  I hope you all have enjoyed my post-bible study reflections on Wed., I'll try to keep those up!

For tonight, I am posing a VERY SIMPLE question and I would like COMMENTS!  Pretend that you have not grown up in the church.  For those that haven't, this may be easy and I encourage your comments as well!  Try to take all your pre-conceived notions of the church away for this...

WHY would you choose to start going to a church?

Both BSM and Arch Street are at a point where they are examining what Christian fellowship means and how it can be enacted.  There is some hesitancy to this because both are founded on the deep theological assertion that the faith community is not built for church members in themselves, but for purposes of living out the radical gospel in the world to serve others.  How do these two relate?  I'm not going to say any more because I am curious to here thoughts from those of you who read this blog.  We are created for conversation, not lectures!

So think of that question and answer in the comment section...NOW!

Also, as I have mentioned earlier, I encourage you to join an online conversation at The Church Is Alive.  This week, Carol Howard Merritt wrote an excellent post on this very subject I bring up this evening.  I encourage you to check it out!  That is, after you answer my question!

peace,
mike

Coming in to land

Greetings family and friends!

I can hardly believe I've been here for a month already!  Time has really flown by here in the city.  Even though I've been working at Broad Street for 4 weeks, my role is finally taking shape now.  This makes some sense in that I've moved my whole life to a completely new setting and was thrown into a completely unique situation to explore my pastoral vocation.  I'm getting to the point in the job where things are starting to click.  To use a metaphor I thought of the other day, I am an airplane that has finally hit the runway after hovering with its wheels down for a little while.  So what's this runway look like?

My new title at Broad Street Ministry will be the "Pastoral Associate for Community Trailblazing."  Like that title?  Came up with it myself.  Using "pastoral associate"is a term applied to seminary interns affirming their role within the communities of Broad Street and Arch Street Pres.  "Community trailblazing" is a title that emerged out of much thought.  A large part of my role at BSM will be meeting with new volunteers, welcoming them into the community, learning about them, discovering their gifts and interests, and then helping them find where they can be best involved at Broad Street.  There is an intentionality at BSM of welcoming and encouraging ideas, and helping them become realities if possible.  The Spirit works through whoever the Spirit chooses.

Beyond this specific role, I will be attending to pastoral needs of BSM and Arch Street Presbyterian.  I will also have opportunities to participate in and lead worship.  Both opportunities are very exciting and filled with the bright future the Lord has for both locations.

Oh yeah, and I'm working on a temporary website for arch street presbyterian.  Check it!

Also, I apologize for neglecting to speak of a significant part of this internship - the seminary house.  I am sharing an apartment with 2 very talented Princeton Seminary students.  In the apartment above us is a married couple serving as our 'pastors in residence and their adorable baby.  We are intentional about sharing a meal once a week to talk about our experiences together.  They're a wonderful group and I'm sure we'll have some great adventures this year!

Regarding blogging, I am beginning to fall in to some sort of schedule.  I will make a sincere attempt to post on Sunday and Wednesday nights, following activities.  Beyond those days, it will most likely be random.  PLEASE share thoughts and comments if possible.  I desire dialogue on certain topics.  We learn from one another and I am constantly curious to what you all think about certain topics that are raised.

Thanks again for the love and support you have sent me.  Come visit sometime this year and see what it's all about!

I leave you on a lighter note...with some good ol' BBC religious humor:


Peace,
Mike