Wandering the Desert

I Might Have To Medicate You

2008-05-06T13:17:00.003-05:00

Resist your temptation to lie
By speaking of separation from God,

Otherwise, we might have to medicate you.
In the ocean a lot goes on beneath your eyes.

Listen, they have clinics there too
For the insane who persist in saying things like:

"I am independent from the sea,
God is not always around gently pressing against my body."

-Hafez

The Allegory of the Two Trees

2008-04-21T16:02:00.004-05:00

I remember a pair of trees I came across in my desert wandering. One tree was tall and broad of leaf - a date palm that went straight up over a hundred feet. It grew in sandy loam near an oasis - never struggling for water. The wind for the most part was blocked by a large rock outcropping nearby. The tree's canopy was full and lush, thick and green with an abundance of fronds. The palm produced fruit of course, abundantly, but almost sickeningly sweet.

The other tree was much smaller, a lemon tree barely a dozen feet tall. It grew in a rough patch of ground, too rocky to support much of anything. Water was scarce, and wind was almost constant. Some of the branches had died, and the few leaves were small and rough. The tree did provide fruit when it was able, but the lemons it produced were small and rather tart.

Eventually the winds of fortune changed, as the winds often do. The oasis ran dry, and the palm, lacking deep roots, went thirsty. The rock outcropping that had shielded the tree was brought low, and the wind blew hot and strong on the tree. It withered even more, and eventually died.

At the same time, the lemon tree was much amazed when its fortune changed. A small rivulet of water began running across the rocky ground underneath it's branches. It was able to leaf out fully, grew new branches, and even produced a full crop of the best lemons you had ever tasted - more than twice the size of a man's fist, juicy and full of flavor.

What kind of church are you attending, a date palm or a lemon ?

The winds of change are beginning to blow...

Learning in the Desert

2008-04-02T12:35:00.003-05:00

So, a question for consideration. Who teaches you to be a Christian ? The Bible ? Well, you know what I think of the Bible. What about Sunday school ? Not even close. How about confirmation classes ? Yea, right. EFM ? Getting closer, if nothing else, it might make you think for yourself. Cursillo ? Who can even remember what happened on Sunday - It's a short course - do you expect a PhD. degree from a weekend seminar ?

Nope, none of the above. You learn it by doing it. Why should we expect otherwise ?

If you run across a course on how to walk in the desert, let me know... I'd like to take that one :-)

Boy Scouts vs. Diocese of Oklahoma

2008-01-28T14:48:00.000-06:00

Consider the Diocese of Oklahoma. 15 thousand members (I'm being generous), a $3 million dollar budget, over 100 clergy and paid staff in 71 locations around the state.

Consider the OKC Boy Scouts of America Last Frontier Council (one of six councils in the state). 31,714 members, a $3 million dollar budget, a paid staff of 6 and 853 locations in the OKC area alone.

Hmmm.....

Feed My Sheep

2007-10-31T12:54:00.001-05:00

Sheep must not have a sense of smell, otherwise they would know that sheep stink. David knew it, Moses knew it, Jesus knew it. Too bad the people these days have forgotten.

It all makes the last chapter of John all the more difficult to read.

Willow Creek and Stage of Faith Problem

2007-10-24T09:35:00.000-05:00

Pastors of Willow Creek (20,000+ Mega-Church) discusses the inability of program churches to provide spiritual growth to those people in later stages of faith.

Video 1
Video 2

Does the same hold true in the ECUSA in the Diocese of Oklahoma ? Are there programs already in place to address this ? (careful, that was a trick question...)

If you're not familiar with Willow Creek, there is a Wikipedia entry Here

If you need to brush up on Fowler's Stages of Faith, that Wikipedia page is Here

Spong Releases Another Book

2007-09-28T10:43:00.000-05:00

Jesus For The Non Religious. ISBN: 0061233234. Well, Spong's latest book has been released. If you have read any of his other books, then you have already read this one. He takes each of his previous books, condenses each one into its own chapter, and slaps them all together with more of the same. At least he acknowledges that Bonhoffer had said it all before - there is little that is original to him. Still, it is a decent read.

A New Prince

2007-09-28T10:39:00.000-05:00

There is a new prince in the Kingdom. I saw his procession myself, and quite a procession it was. Hundreds of people: singing, chanting, smells, bells, and drums too. I remain in the desert, but look forward to his reign.

Unorganized Religion

2007-08-29T16:38:00.000-05:00

While wandering the desert last weekend, I happened across a rather unorganized worship service. It wasn't protestant, it wasn't catholic; it wasn't conservative, or liberal either. Surprisingly, it mixed church and state, without being obnoxious. What was it ? A Sunday morning cub scout chapel service. We sang a few songs (including some American patriotic ones), repeated the 24th Psalm, said a few prayers, and then left. A few outdoor benches, no buildings, no ordained clergy, no pass-the-hat, nothing like that. Puts the organized religion in a real bad light...

What's that old definition of heresy ? Anything done to excess. What if the church were to have organized religion to excess ?

Sex and War

2007-07-03T07:54:00.000-05:00

So what is the relationship between sex and war ?

First of all, sex makes war possible. Without sex, there would be no war. Of course, without sex, after the first generation, there would be nothing at all. Sex staffs the front lines, keeps the war machine rolling, and buoys the economic tide.

Similarly, war makes sex possible. Without a redistribution of resources, populations would peak and die. War makes that redistribution possible, and allows some populations to go on and on past their prime.

It brings to mind what Agent Smith says: "...humans are not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment; but you humans do not. Instead you multiply, and multiply, until every resource is consumed. The only way for you to survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern... a virus. Human beings are a disease..."

Leadership and Followership

2007-04-04T11:28:00.000-05:00

Where is the leadership in the ECUSA ? The ordained clergy of course: bishops, priests, and deacons. The earliest records (Acts 6) have the (male) community selecting and elevating their deacons from their very midst. Today, bishops are elected by the diocese, see the Oklahoma Diocesan search page here. The presiding bishop is also selected. Not so with priests and deacons however.

Today, the pendulum has swung all the way over to the opposite side of the continuum. Rather than selection and elevation from the community, the interested person self-selects, saying "Hey, I want to be a [priest/deacon]". The community has nominal input through the parish aspirancy committee process, but the bishop's voice is the (only?) one that matters. He has not only a veto, but also the ability to over-ride the disqualification of a deficienct applicant.

On a different topic, where do we see servant leadership ? Isn't that an oxymoron ? How can you be a servant and a leader at the same time ? It's either Martha or Mary, and a quick trip to a diagnosis of schizophrenia if you try to do both. A follower can lead others, by example, in how to be a follower. And a leader can serve others, as a leader. This is nothing but symantic games.

Even more important, what about followership ? Leadership without followership is a stuffed shirt talking to him/herself alone in an empty room. In the America of today, if you don't like something, just walk down the street. There will be two or two dozen other options, all with smiles on their faces ready to welcome you in. If you can walk down the street, are you a real follower or more of a follow-of-the-moment-until-such-time-as-I-feel-like-walking. I get bored, I get mad, I get curious, I get tired - there are two dozen different reasons to walk.

So where does that leave us ? There are no leaders in the desert. There are no followers in the desert. Maybe real life is more like the desert than I thought.

A Mute God

2007-03-19T08:08:00.000-05:00

What if God were mute ?
Then God would only listen, not speak.
And we should listen with God,
Rather than breaking His silence.

Small Deserts ?

2007-02-28T13:44:00.000-06:00

Can there be a small desert? Just a little desert, something you can walk across in a couple of hours. Sure, it's hot and dry, but there's parking on all four sides and easy access from the Interstate. LOL.

Deserts are large for a purpose... You've got to be able to pick a direction and walk for a week without seeing anybody (alive). It has to be big to have the shifting sands, blowing dunes, and raw cut arroyos. A small desert doesn't do anything for anybody.

The Next Creed

2007-02-21T15:29:00.000-06:00

"I believe."

An apt response, don't you think, to a God who says 'I am.'

Cranmer on Authority

2007-01-09T09:35:00.000-06:00

"And in this one sense Cranmer was right: the church does have the authority to set aside commandments -- not only the ones made by human authority, but the ones which even though placed in the mouth of God by the Scriptural authors, can be determined to reside only upon human culture and human agendas and human failings. Ultimately all of Scripture comes to us through human agency -- and it is no good idealistically pretending otherwise; to do so is to turn the Scripture itself into an idol. The Scripture is not the Word of God spoken, but the Word of God written -- and in all cases apart from the purported engraving of the original Decalogue, the writing is made by human hands. For Israel in its long wanderings, for the church in its pilgrimage, and for us today, the Scripture is an instrument through which God's will is made known, but an instrument which must be played: and the people of God are the musicians."

from
http://jintoku.blogspot.com/2007/01/leviticus-and-anglican-deformation.html

2006-12-15T11:52:00.000-06:00

Wandering in a vast [desert] at night, I have only a faint light to guide me. A stranger appears and says to me: 'My friend, you should blow out your candle in order to find your way more clearly.' This stranger is a theologian.
--Diderot, c1762

New Atheism

2006-12-04T09:50:00.000-06:00

A religious article from an unexpected source... Wired Magazine. The article is an indepth discussion of New Athiesm with Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett.

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.11/atheism.html

Other Wanderers

2006-11-21T10:46:00.000-06:00

The desert is a large place. Many who wander for various reasons... -e

We need to exist in the wilderness, says theologian president

By Paul Zahl
11/21/2006

There is a lot of worry out there, among "traditional" Christians of The Episcopal Church, concerning our destination. People are asking, Now that The Episcopal Church has de-camped on us and gone straight down the track of the "New Age," where do we go? Where can we go? Do we wait for the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates to provide some sort of alternative Province and safe haven within our own country? Do we shelter 'neath and with The Network and with those faithful Network dioceses such as Pittsburgh and South Carolina? Do we look to the Global South bishops to come to our aid? Do we tie in with the Anglican Mission in America? Or to one of the "continuing" Anglican bodies?

Or, going further afield, do we go to Rome? (This is in fact a live option for many people, and especially given the current Pope and his predecessor.) I was listening to Olivia Newton-John's version of "Ave Maria" the other night - I really was - and felt that sort of tug which many Anglican people feel, although they tend not to talk about it until... Afterward (Edith Wharton - Dean's Contest).

In any event, does one ponder the Tiber? Or, the Presbyterian Church in America, notwithstanding its exceptionless teaching concerning the role of women in public worship? Or, the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, notwithstanding its exceptionless teaching concerning the lostness of Christian bodies other than its own? Or, do we... well, you fill in the blank.

I think that this grand question of "Whither?" is not the right question. It presupposes that there is some church body out there, some supervising entity or person, which, when we find it, will be seen definitely to be "The One." The question of "Whither?" is based on the idea that there is, at this point in time, a verifiable protecting safe place.

I think that is wrong. I think it is wrong because the model for us now, for "traditional" Christians who have watched our old church travel straight off the tracks, and with animus and prejudice, too, needs to be that of the "wandering people of God." This metaphor - this actual Christian experience - is from the Letter to the Hebrews. There the inspired writer writes, "By faith Abraham... went out, not knowing where he was to go... These all died in faith, not having received what was promised, but having seen it and greeted it from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ...If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city" (11:8, 13-16).

He continues, "We have here no continuing city, but we seek the city which is to come" (Hebrews 13:14).

We need to content ourselves just now with existing in the Wilderness. And hey, that's not such a bad thing. We had our amethyst temples and our cities of gold. (Mary and I remember when a homeless mental patient smashed into bits the gorgeous altar cross of Grace Church, Manhattan, Edith Wharton's old parish. We were just a few yards away when that particular atrocity took place.) Now, however, we have to live by a different metaphor. We have become what Ernst Kaesemann called - from his Gestapo cell, incidentally - the "wandering people of God." This is what we are.

We don't have to fight it, looking here and there for a humanly held safe house. It does not exist. Or at least not until it is given. For now, we are in the Wilderness. Looking back on it afterward, we shall discern the Hand of God in our wanderings by faith.

--The Rev. Dr. Paul Zahl is Dean and President of Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA This article first appeared in November-December 2006 Seed & Harvest.

2006-10-20T14:51:00.000-05:00

The rising sun caresses the flower's petals.

The flower expands to engulf the sun's rays.

The prior evening's dew quickly evaporates.

The flower blooms without fear, adding

it's own beauty to it's surroundings.

By evening, the flower dies, ensuring the

plant will live.

A Desert of Plenty

2006-10-15T00:29:00.000-05:00

I wander in a desert of plentitude. Everywhere I turn, I see an abundance. On the left are cases and cases of liquor, tax stamps intact. On the right are side of beef, smoked bacon, salt cured fish, preserved from the sun. Beside me are cartons of cigarettes, unopened and unsmoked. Death and abundance.

Where is the desert ?

Sam Harris Bashes all Dogma

2006-10-03T17:08:00.000-05:00

http://www.samharris.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogma

Sam Harris bashes followers of all religions: Christian, Jew, Muslim, Budhist.

What would a religion look like if it were completely devoid of dogma ?

What would a desert look like if it had no sand ?

The (long version of the) Creed would be "I believe."

Desert Seagulls

2006-09-27T23:41:00.000-05:00

I saw a desert seagull this week, and was reminded of Jonathon Livingston Seagull. If you have not read the book, go out to your nearest used bookstore and get two copies. One for yourself, and one to give away to the person you will know needs one. Here are three of my favorite quotes...

Don’t believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation. Look with your understanding.

The gulls who scorn perfection for the sake of travel go nowhere, slowly. Those who put aside travel for the sake of perfection go anywhere, instantly.

"The only true law is that which leads to freedom," Jonathan said. "There is no other."

Long Term Memory

2006-09-11T15:26:00.000-05:00

The local church has no long-term memory. Three years ago: huge fight, yelling, crying, late night phone calls, definitions of orthodoxy flying back and forth, families leaving, much gnashing of teeth. Today: nobody remembers. Nobody is around who even knows that a fight once took place. Some would say, the event never even happened.

The desert, however, has a much longer memory. The pile of barbed wire today may be lacking even fence posts, but the desert remembers. The fence ran just over there, with posts made of Osage Orange brought in on the wagon of a homesteader. The homesteader died long ago, his bones are buried over there. His wagon is gone as well, fallen apart, rotted, scavenged for firewood. A few of the metal pieces can be found if you dig in the right spots. Even the fenceposts are gone, leaving this pile of wire. But the desert does not forget.

Met a Blind Man

2006-08-21T10:29:00.000-05:00

I met a blind man while wandering through the desert this past weekend. He managed to get around well enough, even had a message or two to share on the Word.

Any other blind people in the Bible ? Saul/Paul (briefly), a couple bit parts in the gospels, but no Andrea Bocelli, Ray Charles, James Holman, or Geerat Vermeij.

Journey vs. Search

2006-08-09T11:00:00.000-05:00

I was asked recently if I was on a Journey or a Search. It took me a moment to compare the two and reply that I was definitely on a Journey. On a search, the end result is the only thing of any importance. What did they find ? What is the answer ? Who did they hire ? Who cares how they got there, just as long as you "Get 'er done." There is a starting point, an ending point, and some stuff in the middle that doesn't really matter a whole lot.

A journey is another matter entirely. Occasionally, you might even find that you are on a journey without even knowing exactly when the journey was started. The places you visit on the journey are just as important, if not more so, than the place where you might end your journey, and some journeys do not end. What has been made aware to me is that searchers have no use for other searchers; however, people on a journey are of tremendous value to other people on journeys.

Parishes and Diocese have Search Committees. What would it look like if they had Journey Committees instead ? :-)

"Since when does the Wolf send directions ?"
-Hatfield, Return of the Wolf, Martin Bell

Leaving Church: A Memoir of Faith - Barbara Brown Taylor

2006-07-25T15:14:00.000-05:00

A very good autobiography from a long-time PECUSA priest. She writes at length about her own faith journey from the beginning through ordination, life as a priest, and life as a former priest. It is an easy read, and while quite enjoyable, goes long on her pre-leaving, and only a chapter or two on post-leaving. She didn't even really leave, only transitions to a non-parochial status - she never renounced her orders.

Taylor writes as a seasoned wanderer, imparting a great deal of wisdom from a traditional Episcopal viewpoint. I haven't read anything else from her, but look forward to her next book. Might even pick up one of her prior ones. Nothing terribly new, but all in all, very well presented. It is her next book that I really look forward to.

ISBN: 0060771747

The Real Value of the Bible

2006-07-17T23:27:00.000-05:00

I just love the Bible. The stories of the Old and New Testament, I love them all.

I can imagine myself a spectator there in the Garden of Eden, watching Adam and Eve trying to answer God's questions. It's a good thing He's not asking me those questions.

I can read the acounts of Moses and the burning bush and his own fourty long years trekking through the desert, all from the air-conditioned comfort of a modern sancuary.

I can reflect a moment on the sermon on the mount while sitting in a polished wooden pew, as opposed to those first listerners who sat on the rock-strewn hillside of Galilee.

In complete safety and comfort, I can read all the stories of the Bible... yea, right!!!

Is it heresy to imagine that the only value in the Bible is it's ability to inspire us to move out of our safety and comfort, to experience first-hand the Spirit of God, the Ruach, moving through creation, that we might reflect the Word in the world ?

Put down that book! Our God is a living God, and He is alive in the World right now, not trapped between dusty pages!!! That would be almost as funny as thinking we could put God in some gold-plated box... oops, we did that one already.

Matthew 27:51 "At that moment the spine of the Bible was torn in two from top to bottom. Wall Street shook and the Internet went down." (Slightly Altered Version)

An Unexpected Encounter

2006-07-17T23:15:00.000-05:00

In my recent desert wanderings, I was quite surprised to meet a man wearing the finest of robes. I don't know if I ventured too far out of the desert, or he too near, but our paths did cross, and it was a time of joy. He was not a stranger to me, for we had met many times before, and even had a discussion or two over the course of the years.

He was not a wanderer himself as of yet, but I could see well enough that his own time would soon be upon him. Even the finest prince may one day put down his scepter and take up a walking stick. Perhaps we will meet next time as fellow wanderers.

When does a vessel sink ?

2006-07-12T14:05:00.000-05:00

Not that there are many oceans in the middle of the desert, but I understand that there has arisen some discrepancy on a matter dealing with oceans and vessels and the sinking of the latter upon the former. Often the act of sinking happens quite quickly, at other times, the whole process can take years.

When does a vessel sink ?
When has a vessel sunk ?

Consider the Titanic as an example. When the ship hit the iceberg, a huge tear in the plating erupted. Was it sunk at that point ? When the vesel rolled over, though still at the surface, was it sunk then ? When it was nose down, half-way under, was it sunk then ? When it was completely covered by the waves, settling towards the bottom of the sea, was it sunk then ? Or was it sunk only when it came to rest at the bottom of the ocean ? Some might say that it was sunk when it left port.

Consider one persons spiritual path...

Consider the life of a parish...

Consider also the national church.

Words from Bobby the Prophet

2006-07-05T20:44:00.000-05:00

On the occasion of the conclusion of General Convention, I am reminded of the words of Bobby, the Prophet, who wrote:

You walk into the room with your pencil in your hand
You see somebody naked and you say, "Who is that man?"
You try so hard but you don't understand
Just what you'll say when you get home

Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

You raise up your head and you ask, "Is this where it is?"
And somebody points to you and says "It's his"
And you say, "What's mine?" and somebody else says, "Where what is?"
And you say, "Oh my God am I here all alone?"

Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

You hand in your ticket and you go watch the geek
Who immediately walks up to you when he hears you speak
And says, "How does it feel to be such a freak?"
And you say, "Impossible" as he hands you a bone

Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

You have many contacts among the lumberjacks
To get you facts when someone attacks your imagination
But nobody has any respect anyway they already expect you
To just give a check to tax-deductible charity organizations

You've been with the professors and they've all liked your looks
With great lawyers you have discussed lepers and crooks
You've been through all of F. Scott Fitzgerald's books
You're very well read it's well known

Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

Well, the sword swallower, he comes up to you and then he kneels
He crosses himself and then he clicks his high heels
And without further notice he asks you how it feels
And he says, "Here is your throat back thanks for the loan"

Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

Now you see this one-eyed midget shouting the word "NOW"
And you say, "For what reason?" and he says, "How?"
And you say, "What does this mean?" and he screams back, "You're a cow
Give me some milk or else go home"

Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

Well, you walk into the room like a camel and then you frown
You put your eyes in your pocket and your nose on the ground
There ought to be a law against you comin' around
You should be made to wear earphones

Because something is happening here
But you don't know what it is
Do you, Mister Jones?

--Bobby, 1965

The Dream of a Wall

2006-06-23T21:54:00.000-05:00

I had a dream about wandering in the desert. In my dream, I came upon a huge wall. This wall was built on the foundation of the world, and supported the sky and heavens above. It was built out of massive stones, either 66 or 73 or 77 of them - the exact number was unclear in the dream. The wall stretched from horizon to horizon, and I new that I could not go around it, under it, or over it.

I took a closer look at one of the stones in the wall - I studied it, I felt all over it, I came to know this massive block of stone. In my dream, a strange thing happened – the stone began to fade into thin air, and eventually to vanish completely. Now this massive wall had a great big hole in it.

I ignored the hole for the moment, and concentrated on the adjacent block. Because of the hole, I could examine not only the face of this block, but also the side where the hole was. Just as before, this block too began to fade from sight. The more blocks I studied, the more blocks vanished, and the wall began to look like Swiss cheese. There were as many holes as there were blocks and I began to worry that the whole wall might collapse.

The wall did not collapse however - but, I did not stop studying. Eventually, I was left with a truly amazing sight. Every stone that touched the ground had vanished, and the wall was floating in mid-air. It hung there, rock solid as ever, and yet completely suspended. Unfortunately, I woke up from my dream about this time.

Church Is In My Blood

2006-06-21T16:23:00.000-05:00

Church is in my blood. I need the people. I need the time for meditation and contemplation. I need it for my family. What I do not need is the doctrine. I often ask myself if I should be a part of the Christian church where every week I am to state the creed of all those things we believe. I don't believe. So I do what any good student of literature does: I search for the deeper meaning, the symbols, the metaphors. I deconstruct until I am left with something palatable. But sometimes I tire of pretending, of trying so hard to fit into that size 3 dress, when I am a hefty 10. Sometimes I want to shout from the rooftops I do not fit, I do not fit! So let me GO!! But she does not. I cannot let her go. So, I wander the desert each Sunday from the moment I walk through the church doors.

-aliza lane (joyful path)

The Prayer to Our Father

2006-06-20T08:20:00.000-05:00

Wandering the desert, I came across a new translation of an old prayer...

(from the original Aramaic)

"Oh Thou, from whom the breath of life comes,
who fills all realms of sound, light and vibration.
May Your light be experienced in my utmost holiest.
Your Heavenly Domain approaches.
Let Your will come true - in the universe (all that vibrates)
just as on earth (that is material and dense).
Give us wisdom (understanding, assistance) for our daily need,
detach the fetters of faults that bind us, (karma)
like we let go the guilt of others.
Let us not be lost in superficial things (materialism, common temptations),
but let us be freed from that what keeps us off from our true purpose.
From You comes the all-working will, the lively strength to act,
the song that beautifies all and renews itself from age to age.
Sealed in trust, faith and truth.
(I confirm with my entire being)

from http://www.thenazareneway.com/lords_prayer.htm

The End Is Near

2006-06-16T11:22:00.000-05:00

New Liturgies

2006-06-14T09:36:00.000-05:00

As I wander the desert, I occasionally come across new liturgies. Some of them worth noting are the NewZealand Prayer Book and St. Augustine's Prayer Book. Unfortunately, these texts are not online - you will have to grab copies off Amazon or eBay or someplace.

One set of liturgies I did come across online was created by The Order of Christian Workers in Tyler, TX who wrote 'Liturgies, Learnings and Pastoral Rites' and has made it available on their website in PDF format. The book includes four Eucharist celebrations, plus rites for Baptism, Reconciliation, Holy Union, Healing, Godparenting and many others. My only critique is that it does not include the daily office.

Not to beat on ECUSA, but why do we have to go fifty years or more between BCPs ? Variety is the spice of life. Today's twenty-somethings have never known any other book. No wonder they are leaving in droves. What else in their life has remained the same since 1979 ? Technology doubles every 18 months. Their cars change every few years, their jobs, their spouses (but that's another issue) - everything changes. But not the BCP.

Church Youth Groups Are A Cop-Out

2006-06-11T11:31:00.000-05:00

Cop-out, also cop·out (kŏp'out')
n (slang)
1. A failure to fulfill a commitment or responsibility or to face a difficulty squarely.
2. A person who fails to fulfill a commitment or responsibility.
3. An excuse for inaction or evasion.

I know, since the church doesn't offer anything for anyone under 25, let's form a group just for kids. We'll give them one room to call their own (out of more than two dozen in the church) and they can paint the walls themselves and take some ownership in the place. We'll also give them a few hundred dollars for pizza (out of a budget of a few hundred thousand). We'll call it a youth group, or some acronym like EYC. They can go do their stuff, hidden away (out of sight - out of mind) in the youth room, and they'll appreciate us (the rest of the 'Adult' church) more for it. If they're nice about it, we'll even give them a seat on the vestry (as long as they are quiet).

Instead, what about a church for kids and by kids ? Meaningful liturgy that actually meets these peope where they are in their lives ? Sermons (if that is even part of the liturgy) that speak to the problems and challenges they are facing ?Facilities and member organizations that are useful to them ? After all, these are the next bishops, the next clergy, the nxt lay leaders. There are the people that are going to stick your sorry ashes in an urn and lock them behind a columbarium door.

Often I think the most important thing the Apostles did was to turn the church over to the next generation. The churh of today has completely lost that - and is paying for it dearly.

"Trust no one over the age of 30."
-Bob Dylan (who turned 65 in 2006)

Brian McLaren - A New Kind of Christian

2006-06-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Brian McLaren's book 'A New Kind of Christian' (ISBN:078795599X) is still the best book out there that I have read on the emerging church, which is kind of unfortunate in one way. It is the account of a mainline preacher's disatisfaction with his ministry, and his encounter with another desert wanderer. I haven't read the sequal, 'The Story We Find Ourselves In: Further Adventures of a New Kind of Christian' but will be keeping an eye out for it. Anyone already read it ?

It is unfortunate in that this emerging church is so nebulous that a fictional account - a story, a tale, a fable - is the best description out there. In another way, maybe it is appropriate that the best book out there is just a story. After all, the Bible itself is full of the same...

There Is No Road

2006-06-07T11:01:00.000-05:00

Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar.
Traveller, there is no road, the way is made by walking.
-Antonio Machado

Quite a different philosophy that what is currently being passed out. Today, we would be led to believe that there is not just a road (or multiple roads for the ecumenical minded out there :-) but that the road is straight and wide, well paved and maintained, with center stripes, wide shoulders, large reflective signs and those little blue telephone boxes every mile or so.

Oh, not so. At best, we can occasionally see the footsteps of those who have gone before us. More often, the winds of sand and time have erased them entirely, blowing huge dunes as far as the eyes can see. Yet, even in the desert, there are occasional oasis - a quick drink and a brief respite from wandering. Best of all, there are an uncounted number of other travellers who are also wandering this same desert.

Mark 9:43

2006-06-07T09:26:00.000-05:00

"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter heaven maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your congregation causes you to sin, leave. It is better for you to enter into eternal life a desert wanderer than to have a good attendance award and be thrown into hell." Mark 9:43 (Slightly Altered Version)

Welcome

2006-06-07T09:21:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the Wandering the Desert blog. I hope you can find something of use here. We are a small group of wanderers, fellow travellers along The Way. If you need a cool breeze, drop in regularly.

Wandering the desert has a long and fruitful tradition in the church: see David, Moses, the Exodus, St. John the Baptist, Jesus, St. Anthony, St. Athanasius, St. Augustine and others. This blog will discuss some of these topics, especially the deserts outside of the ECUSA.

Guest posts are welcome, co-editors are welcome, I'd be glad to share this blog with others - just send email to DesertWanderer@Terrapins.com