Politics In The Church

Last Saturday night, pastor Rick Warren hosted the "Saddleback Civil Forum." There he featured the two potential candidates for president this year, Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain.

To my knowledge, this was the first time a live forum featuring presidential candidates has been broadcast from a church. As the Forum began, Warren said that he does believe in separation of church and state, but not separation of faith and politics.

One commentator, coming from a Catholic background, criticized the choice of a church setting for such an event stating that it would best have taken place in a fellowship hall. He did not believe that a place dedicated to worship should be used for any other purpose other than worship. He noted that the Vatican has outlawed the use of the sanctuary for even such things as concerts.

I can respect his view on the sanctity of space. He viewed the place of worship as holy and set apart for no other purpose other than worship. I had to ask myself about our use of the auditorium. How many events have we held there that have little connection with worship? I don't believe the church should become just another stage, but I am not sure I have always considered just how some view the platform of a church as holy ground.

On the other hand, there are those who view the church auditorium, sanctuary, worship center, or some other term just as any other available space. They see nothing particularly holy about a platform inside a church.

I was taught as a child that the church building is God's house. As such, it should be respected and not treated like someone's living room. Today, people come to worship on Sunday morning chatting on cell phones, bringing coffee or drinks inside, or dressing in such ways as to leave little to the imagination. I'm not sure that this is showing proper respect to a place dedicated to the worship of God.

Still, I do not believe that hosting candidates for president and asking them publicly for their views on a variety of issues, moral and political, is inappropriate for a church. As Warren said, "We do not believe in separation of faith and politics."

In or out of the church.

What Michael Phelps And I Have In Common

I have long enjoyed the pageantry and athletic competition of the Olympics. My favorite events are in the track and field area. Here, athletes compete against one another and the clock. This is unlike, for example, such events as gymnastics where the athlete performs in front of a judge who grades the performance. And what's up with things like shooting? Pardon me, but it seems like such events as this are not truly "athletic competition."

One hero who has emerged during the 2008 games in Beijing is Michael Phelps. As of this writing, he has earned seven gold medals and is closing in on a record breaking eighth gold medal for one Olympics. One of the curious questions on the minds of many has been "What is Michael Phelps listening to on his iPod?" Just before his heat, Phelps can be seen with those ubiquitous white earbuds plugged in to his head.

In a recent article, Phelps revealed that he listened to hip-hop music to get himself motivated before a race.

Bingo. He and I have that in common.

Let's be sure of one thing- I can barely tread water, much less swim competitively. And I DO NOT enjoy hip-hop music. But I once donned football gear and banged bodies on the gridiron. In the afternoon before the game that evening, I would sit in my room with my record player and spin records and got myself pumped up. It did. In fact, just before a game, I came alive. I went wild with an red faced rush. Guys would wonder where I had been during practice. Truth is, I loved to play the game, but didn't like to practice. I learned the hard way that players who won't practice hard won't play in the game.

Nonetheless, I turned on the tunes to get me motivated. I specifically remember loving to listen to "Won't Get Fooled Again" by the The Who. (Yes, I said The Who. In those days the term "Contemporary Christian Music" was an oxymoron.) I could feel the pulse pounding and the adrenaline flowing. I was motivated and ready to play. Unfortunately, for reasons mentioned above, I rarely got to play in the game.

Later in life, as a pastor, when the music is right, when it flows, I am ready to preach. I think my best preaching is done when I truly worship during the music portion. A preacher friend of mine recently said that by the time he took the pulpit, the music had already prepared the way for the message and he was pumped and ready. I have told worship leaders with whom I have served on the platform, "If you will set the table, I'll serve supper, and we'll all enjoy dessert."

Music motivates the soul (and body.)

That is what Michael Phelps and I have in common.

A Saturday Bonus- Because I Like Signs

Somehow things get lost in translation....

Camp Disney

I have been offline here recently, as one of my "fans" has pointed out. I made a commitment to blog at least twice a week when I began to blog. Alas, I haven't kept my commitment. But I am sure my "fans" will forgive me this time.

It is due to a trip to Disney World and then to Children's camp. Not so much the busy activity, for I like to reflect and write. It is due to a lack of internet access.

At Disney, one could get on the 'net in one's room. However, the computer has a crazy interface that somehow carries you back to a screen advertising upgrades and Disney vacations. Based on their shrewd marketing techniques, I believe that this is no accident. The other option was to join the wifi network in my room. You could do that if you were willing to pay $5.00 for an hour or $10.00 for a whole day. I wasn't willing. I know it sounds silly, after things like a $45 plus 18% tip character breakfast with my son Caleb, who was delighted. But you have to draw the line somewhere. (Breakfast is a need; wifi a luxury.)

So not much time on the net means no blog entry.

We returned Saturday evening. I had many duties on Sunday, (I am still a pastor) and I had to repack for PreTeen camp. PreTeen camp is at Dry Creek, Louisiana. Not only is the creek dry, but so is the cell phone access. I had no bars in most locations. Now, if you stood on one foot and held the device just right in just the right place, you might get a bar to appear. Simple pleasures!

At Dry Creek, they frown on cell phones, iPods, radios, and such. Thus, no internet access there except for wifi near the office. But with a crowded schedule, the heat, and the principle of the thing, I didn't blog there either. Besides, there is something out of place about blogging from children's camp to me.

Anyway, I am back in the land of the living, sitting in my living room, blogging away.

Simple pleasures are the best.

A Song In My Head

Every now and then, just before waking up, I enter that misty, twilight-like zone of very light sleep. During this time, I have dreams that I can recall after waking up. This was one of those mornings. I dreamed I was trying to get to church on time. I drove past the church onto the grounds of a hospital near the church. In real life, there is no hospital near the church. It was an interesting dream, given the fact that I had to get up and get moving to get ready for church this morning.

But it was the background music playing in my head that I enjoyed most.

The song was "Tighter, Tighter," by Alive And Kicking. It is a very pleasant, upbeat song that speaks of love and cuddles. As I showered and dressed, the song played in my head. Normally, on the way to church I like to listen to "The Gospel Greats" with Paul Heil. Somewhere I had read that if you would play the song you hear in your head, it would go away. As I slid into my car, I knew the song was on my trusty iPod. I clicked the wheel to "Artists," and found "Alive and Kicking." The next step was to highlight the song and play it. I did.

I drove to church in a wistful mood. When I hear this song, my mind goes back to my friend Larry playing the 45 record on his record player. I am about 13 years old, just discovering being a teen, and the world is my oyster. I am transported back into time for a brief, shining moment and it is absolutely wonderful.

Tonight, on our return to church, I played the song for my wife. She enjoyed the tune as she clasped my hand in hers. I then romantically said that I enjoyed the song too, because I was reminded of my old best friend Larry playing it on his record player, and those wonderful/dreadful teen years.

"Oh," she said, "I thought it reminded you of me."

"Duh, wrong comment," I thought to myself. I did my best to recover from this gaffe, but I don't think Deborah bought it. Oh, well, the song and whatever memories it stirs in me are a momentary respite. I am refreshed and ready for the day. A good way to wake up, it is.

And by the way, playing the song got it out of my head. The advice worked.

After writing this post, I just can't now get it out of my head.

Because You Noticed

On Being Bilingual

My wife and I spent a few days in Houston last week. Our youngest son was at Centrifuge (Youth Camp) in Mississippi, so we took advantage of the opportunity. We were able to see the Astros play (They lost in the 10th inning), and see a new play at the A.D. Theater. We saw the play in a preview mode. The season hadn't actually opened, so the players pulled up chairs on stage and chatted with those in the audience who cared to stay when the play was over. I found the play and the discussion afterward enjoyable and entertaining. The message was distinctly Christian. In fact, the stage reminded me of a few of those country churches in which I've pastored and preached. I highly recommend the play. I'm not so sure about the Astros!

Anyway, wherever we went, we heard Spanish being spoken. I was reminded of my days right out of seminary on the border of Mexico. When I agreed to come to Falcon Heights Baptist Church, I agreed to learn Spanish. I took classes in McAllen and listened to Spanish conversation very carefully. I even learned a few words and phrases. Our oldest son, in preschool, came home speaking the language. If we had stayed in the Valley longer, I am positive he would be fluently bilingual.

I wish I'd learned to speak Spanish.

I believe that in a few years, Spanish will become almost a necessity. Here in Louisiana, we have public school classes that teach French. My son, Caleb, has been in one class and was happy to recite what he learned. But I don't believe that in the years ahead that there will be much of a need for French speakers. We are not exactly being inundated with French speaking people. But we are seeing a growth in the Spanish speaking population.

Being an Anglo in the Valley, I would often enter a store or come up to a group of people speaking Spanish. When they saw me, they would usually shift to English, if they could. Sometimes, when they didn't want me to hear what they were saying, they would shift from English to Spanish. How often I would wish I could retort in Spanish that I knew exactly what they were saying!

But alas, I never learned Spanish.

Learning a second language ought to be required in school. I know some schools require it, but not all. And Spanish should be the required language. In college, I chose to forego Spanish and took Greek instead. I know no one who speaks Greek, but it is the original language of the New Testament, which has helped me immensely in my Biblical studies. But I did have the opportunity to learn Greek in Seminary.

So I wish I had learned Spanish.

I know what some think- "Let them learn English." I agree. But I think it is also good for all of us to learn a second language.

I wish I had learned Spanish.