Presbytery of Lake Erie

Reflections: “Enough To Go On”

MaryAnn McKibben Dana writes a splendid article in the June 20 Christian Century. It is titled ‘Enough to Go On: Doing Improv Changed My View of Scarcity’. In it she addresses the benefit she has gained in participating in improvisational theater. I drew on that theme in the July 29 installation sermon for Rev. Rebecca Taylor at First Church, Warren. So here is the question: ‘What does improvisational church look like? Is there a basis for such thinking in the parables of Jesus? If so, what are the implications for where you live and the ministry in which you are engaged? What does ‘improv theater’ say to the 21st century church? (If you want to think about this even more you are encouraged to read her article, page 11, June 20, Christian Century.)

Dr. David Oyler

Reflections: A Second Look at “The Kingdom of God” by H. Richard Niebuhr

 

Recent days have found me re-reading the classic book ‘The Kingdom of God in America’ by H. Richard Niebuhr.  The substance of the book was provided in lecture form by Niebuhr more than 80 years ago.  At the same time it is fresh and relevant early in the 21st century.  Throughout the book he addresses the intermingling of faith and culture – and the implications it has for the church.  Included is this quote: ‘As a religious movement the Reformation was characterized above all by its fresh insistence on the present sovereignty and initiative of God.’  From there on he assumes that theological principle as he examines the culture in which he lived and continues to inform us to this day.  He speaks of God’s direct rule in a world where we sometimes think of terms of human sovereignty over medicine, politics, economics, etc.  Check it out!  There is something to be learned by revisiting the old classics!

Dr. David Oyler

 

Reflections: Thoughts on Transformation

Antony Robinson, ‘Transforming Congregational Culture’ offers these words:  ‘As a religious establishment, mainline churches tended to rely on a sense of obligation as a powerful motivator for their membership and constituency…[In a] generation of seekers motivation replaced obligation.  If people were motivated, if they found some meaning and value in an experience for them, they would be involved.  If it was only a matter of fulfilling societal obligation, the church was losing its hold on people.  Another – more theological – way to put this is to note that, in many mainline congregations, a religion of good works and achievement seemed to have supplanted a religion of grace.’  (p. 4)

Are we churches of obligation?  Or of motivation?  Are we about good works?  Or grace?

Ouch!  Those are difficult (but important!!) themes to pursue.                  

-Dr. David Oyler/General Presbyter

Reflections: “Seek Good Not Evil”

‘Seek good and not evil,

that you may live;

and so the Lord, the God of hosts,

will be with you,

 just as you have said.

Hate evil and love good,

and establish justice in the gate;

it may be that the Lord, the God of hosts,

will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.’

So what does ‘establish(ing) justice in the gate’ look like?

And what does God’s graciousness look like as you establish justice in your community?

                                                                                         -David Oyler, General Presbyter

Reflections: 21st Century Church

‘We are dealing with a deep change in the culture – religious and otherwise – of North American society.  An era of de facto American Christendom in which the Protestant mainline churches had been the religious establishment of the culture [is] ending.  Furthermore, modernity and its hallmark values – reason, self-sufficiency, progress, and optimism – [are] losing their sense of inevitability and their taken-for-granted status.’ –Anthony B. Robinson.

I believe this significant change has a great deal to say to the early 21st century church.  What do you think?  If you would like to engage this topic further why don’t you consider joining the teaching and ruling elder missional conversations.  Check with the presbytery office for more details on this intriguing opportunity!

-Dr. David Oyler – General Presbyter/Presbytery of Lake Erie