Meaning Beyond Nihilism

Race Matters was written one year after the Los Angeles riots of 1993. In his book Professor Cornel West addresses issues of race relations that still need treatment today. West gives sharp assessment of racial distictives in America as well as the systems, morality (or lack of), and history that have perpetuated a discord between different people groups.

While many factors pose a hindrance to race relations, West underscores the destructive nature of Nihilism to the person and to the larger community.

West writes: Nihilism is the lived experience of coping with a life of horrifying meaninglessness, hopelessness, and (most important) lovelessness. The frightening result is a numbing detachment from others and a self-destructive disposition toward the world...In fact, the major enemy of black survival in America has been and is neither oppression nor exploitation but rather nihilistic threat-that is, loss of hope an absence of meaning. For as long as hope remains and meaning is preserved, the possibility of overcoming oppression stays alive.

What does it mean for someone to say that their life "has meaning"? How is "meaning" found? As people of hope, how do we live lives so that meaning is preserved of all people?

Creative Involvement

Today Renovate is partnering with the Morg in giving tattoos to raise awareness and funds for Every Woman's Place of Muskegon.

The idea for Ink for a Cause came when tattoo artist Jason Morgan told me that he would like to find a way to give, but didn't know what he had to offer. I asked him to tell me what he was good at and passionate about and he replied, "I'm good at tattoos". Before I could reply he eagerly said, "We could give tattoos and donate the money!"

As a church community our job was easy...support Jason with whatever he needed (contact EWP as well as provide banners, invite cards, and newspaper ads to get the word out) and let him do the rest (Jason contacted other tattoo artists and body piercers to partner with him).

I love it when people use their gifts and talents (whatever they may be) to make a difference in the world around them. I believe that the most creative ways of engaging the world come not from church boards or tired church programs, but from the people. The job of the church organization should be to help support and empower the work they are feeling led to do.

When the church and its leaders listen well and keep their eyes open they will begin to see unique and creative ministry opportunities all around.

What are some creative ministries you have heard churches being involved with? How does the church become more aware of the unique opportunities around them?

Indestructible Shark

Get Inked

This Saturday, May 2nd, Renovate is partnering with the Morg tattoo shop for Ink for a Cause, a fundraiser for Every Woman's Place of Muskegon (EWP works to help heal and empower women who have experienced domestic abuse).

All day Saturday the Morg will be doing tattoos, piercings, and temporary tattoos. 50% of all proceeds with go directly to EWP in an effort to support their on going work. If you can't make it that day for a tat, or are undecided on the art, gift certificates are available ("buy now, tattoo later").

Smear the Queer (Love Is An Orientation pt. 3)

As a kid I remember playing in the park behind my elementary school. We played games like soccer, tag, kick-ball, and smear the queer. For those of you who never played this game from my childhood, it goes like this:

1. Get a group of friends together, an open grassy field, and a ball of some sort (preferably a football).

2. Spread out; One person is designated "the Queer" and begins with the ball in their hand.

3. "GO!" gang up on, surround, tackle, and smear the queer with the ball.

4. Once piled upon (and adequately smeared), the queer throws the ball up in the air for some other unfortunate sole to be afflicted with the burden of carrying the ball until they too are adequately smeared.

5. Repeat until too bruised and bloody to continue, or until mom calls you home for dinner.

No wonder it is so difficult for those in the gay and lesbian community to share their life in the open. We have constructed a culture (even through childhood games) that makes discussing your sexuality (and asking questions concerning it) frightening if it appears to be outside the"norm". Guys in the locker room joke around and call each other "gay" (not referring to the Old English definition), or refer to one another as "fag". In high school I perfected my flamboyant "gay hairdresser" voice, making a lot of people laugh (especially the kids in my church youth group). I wonder how many people heard those jokes (some maybe even participated in them in an effort to "hide") and as a result told themselves that there are somethings we shouldn't ask because it's not safe and came to the realization that their questions and feelings have to be sorted out in secret.

I am saddened by the depth of loneliness and isolation (and the anguish that follows) one feels when they have no place to go, and so they have to remain "in the closet". This is perhaps where I see the greatest sin take place. It is the sin that found itself in the garden when God spoke and said: "It is not good that man is alone." To that sin, I am culpable; I have participated in the creation of another human being's loneliness. The holy community of God's people (the Church) should be the very place where no one walks alone. A community that is a refuge and haven for people to ask questions (on any level) with respect, dignity, and care.

If we are going to be seen as people who can be trusted with deep questions of identity and sexuality then we need to take a serious look at the messages we are sending in the "games" we play and the "jokes" we tell.

Some may say, "this is just falling into a gay agenda" or that "it's too PC". I disagree. I want those in my life (from my children to those who over hear me talking with a buddy) to know that with me they can be honest. Honest in their questions, honest in their desires, and honest in their fears. But most of all, I want others to be free to be honest. Free of fear, free of hatred, free from judgement, and free to discover God's love.

Addicted to the Market

In Cornel West's Race Matters. West makes a poignant commentary on the individualism we experience in excess as Westerners. West writes:

Never before has the seductive market way of life held such a sway in nearly every sphere of American life. This market way of life promotes addictions to stimulation and obsessions with comfort and convenience...The common denominator is a rugged and ragged individualism and rapacious hedonism in quest of a perennial "high" in body and in mind.

What has the "market way of life" cost us as human beings? What has been lost by way of community (from promotion of "self" to a deep seated fear of those different than us)? How does living the Kingdom look different than living the market?

Who Should Marry: the Church or the State?

Check out this conversation on a recent Colbert Report.

As a pastor I perform many ceremonies and sacraments in the eyes of God. Yet when a wedding takes place it is the only time which I operate as both a servant of God and a servant of the State ("by the power vested in me and by the state of Michigan...").

Perhaps this is worth noting in the current debate over gay marriage. Marriage is the creation of one flesh between two people through the love and communion of God (the Scriptures mention nothing about the State's role in performing a marriage). If marriage is instituted by God, then the State's only concern should be one of rights and privilege (shared assets, hospital visits, etc, shared property, etc.) not one based in religion.

Marriage (as understood by the Church) has nothing to do with legality of assets insofar as the State is concerned. For couples who want to join lives of commitment by way of assets, etc they should go to the state (civil ceremony). If couples would like a deeper spiritual commitment, marriage, they should not look to the State/government but rather their particular church/faith community.

So when asked the question: "Should the United States legalize gay marriage?" I would answer: "No, But, the State shouldn't have heterosexual marriage either."

What are your thoughts on the State's involvement in marriage?