Update

Well, I did say that I'd be back in Ontario -- I just didn't anticipate that it would be quite this long between posts .... but my little netbook is not always up to the challenge of picking up a weak signal and so .... silence!

I've finished one of my books -- "Re-Enchanting Christianity". I'd say it's a good book, but I find myself wondering if I only think that because we agree about so many things. Still, there it is. And I must admit that there was much that was challenging to me, and that dared me to articulate what exactly I do believe, and what I don't. But throughout this summer, I have been confronted time and again by the reality that the church is failing people .... we're failing to make connections between faith and the urgent issues in their lives. We tend to rely upon platitudes -- "pray and have faith" being among the most frequently quoted, when those words have absolutely no meaning for them -- and how can they become meaningful unless we help make the connections?

The other challenge is that when most of the "unchurched" think of 'Christians' they think of rigid and unbending people who are more concerned with ritual and tradition than with spirituality. Shocking, isn't it, that those who are seeking a more spiritual life, or a deeper spiritual dimension in their lives seldom think of the church as a possible source or inspiration? So many people searching for meaning, and we aren't even on their horizons -- and not always because of negative experiences in their youth. One of the comments is "I'm interested in the man Jesus, and I'd like to know more about him and his life, but Christians???? As far as I can see, they have no connection with Jesus and his life.

But think about our debates, think about what truly exercises local congregations, and then consider the larger issues of life and show me where there is an intersection. We debate what is worn by worship leaders (clergy and choirs), and people are being destroyed for seeking to vote in Afghanistan. We struggle with the best and most effective hours for summer worship, and the people of Palestine are oppressed beyond our belief (and we stop short of recommending boycott.) The economic situation is challenging at best, and we debate whether we appreciate what the minister said on Sunday morning.

I loved what I learned about Biblical storytelling in North Carolina, and all of my summer experiences have stretched and challenged me .... and now I'm in the process of assimilating what I've learned and how it has and will continue to shape me, and how I approach what we do .... And now, perhaps, it's time for me to get off of my soapbox (I'll be back on it soon!) and see how much more I can integrate .... and contemplate where it will lead me in the future.

Oh, and for those who don't have access to the Internet, I'm hoping to put together a slide show so that they can see where I've been, though that only barely touches the events that have shaped and influenced me this summer. There's absolutely nothing that can compare with taking a block of time to read, learn and reflect about ministry when one has been actively engaged in this life for some time. This has been so much more effective than a term at a theological college, no doubt in part, because I've lived the life and know where my questions lie. And the chance, provided most effectively in the UK, to meet with and discuss faith and issues with people who have absolutely no affiliation with any organised church, or even those who have only recently become involved has been invaluable.