June 22nd, 2008 – Baptism is Risky Business

Reverend Christian Jennert presided and preached during worship this morning. Like Bishop Dave last week, the Gospel reading Matthew 10:24-39 contained words from Jesus that many feel uncomfortable exploring; in particular verses 34 and 35:

Do not think I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a son against his father, and a daughter against her mother and a daughter-in law against her mother-in-law.

Like last week, a powerful, uncomfortable Gospel text led to an equally powerful sermon that strengthened and highlighted our understanding of what we are asked to do as followers of the Way.

Pastor Christian started his sermon saying baptism is risky business. He provided historical perspective by describing how Christians were viewed by outsiders in the first three centuries of the existence of the church as superstitious atheists because Christians refused to profess belief in Roman gods and were reportedly engaged in rituals involving the drinking of blood.

In contrast today Pastor Christian preached most of society feels that church is a fundamental part of creating good citizens. Are we living the gospel when we are living as good citizens?

Personally, I am beginning to see a shift. Christians are not viewed now as superstitious atheists but I know many of my friends who do not belong to a church become increasingly more distrustful of those who attend. They see church as being more at the fringe of society rather than the center of it and that faith in God can lead to religious intolerance. They seem to trust schools and education more to create good citizens.

Kelly led most of the music solo on piano today and the team he and Lisa lead were the volunteers for the service work. There was a wide variety of music, as usual in the service.

Kelly also led the Adult Forum after the service, an RIC event Naming Our Concerns and Fears, Honoring Our Traditions which named any concerns or fears the congregation had about becoming RIC.

To start with, we went around the circle describing our earliest church memories or first memories of Creator. Many were of church buildings, Christmas pageants or Easter clothes; sweet or funny memories for the most part.

The ground rule that no one would address or argue with anything that came up at the meeting was followed fairly well. There were complexities and nuances to how people felt. The written feedback helped propel the discussion to a deeper level as well. There was a range of opinions represented but this was Creator at its best when dealing with disagreement. Everyone who contributed was heard with respect.

The RIC team will take the feedback and work to strengthen the discernment process with what was learned.