Homelessness Immersion

From February 8 to 9, a group of youth from Fourth Church Rising participated in a homelessness immersion experience that we organized in cooperation with the Interfaith Council for the Homeless. "In cooperation" is actually probably being too generous about our end of the deal, because ICH really did the heavy lifting in terms of putting this all together. Big thanks to Bill Johnson, Mark Wendorff, and the staff at ICH!

The idea behind this event was to give our youth an opportunity to experience and learn what homelessness in Chicago is all about. We asked our youth and adults not to eat after lunch on Friday and plan to fast until dinner on Saturday. We modeled this on the 30 Hour Famine and even collected some money for ICH.

We began by gathering at Fourth Church and then hopped on a CTA bus and El train to make our way to the PADS shelter at First United Church of Oak Park, which was not in use that night. We arrived and engaged in an incredible discussion about the realities and root causes of homelessness.

After this conversation, we were ushered out into the parking lot to experience what it's like to be checked into a shelter. After waiting outside in the cold and snow, we were all checked in and picked pads to sleep on for the night.

We were awakened early Saturday morning and forced to leave the shelter at 7:30. We hopped back on the Green Line and headed into the city, getting off on Kedzie and walking up to Sanctuary Place, ICH's residence for women and families who have transitioned out of homelessness.

We were immediately thrown into another immersion experience, participating in a "game" that simulated what it is like to attempt to obtain documentation and services as a homeless person. This was a fascinating exercise that left many of us frustrated. We all learned how difficult it is to obtain these services when you lack resources.

After processing this simulation, we prepared lunch for some of the residents at Sanctuary Place, which was painful because we still weren't eating. Over lunch, we had moving conversations with women who were formerly homeless but who are now working on stabilizing their lives and the lives of their families.

After this we had some free time for homework or hanging out, which was followed by two great speakers from the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. One of these speakers, currently a college student, was homeless for most of his teen years. It was powerful to hear his story of teen homelessness and how he managed to escape it.

After doing some cleaning projects for Sanctuary Place, we rode the bus back to Fourth's neighborhood and broke our fast with more pizza than we could eat.

In all, this was an amazing, powerful, and transforming experience. We learned a lot about homelessness and thought a lot about what we can do to help. We distinguished between the concepts of charity and justice and thought about ways we can do both. We'll continue this conversation for years to come as we think about this persistent problem in our society and world.

Check out this link for some pictures from the weekend.

Video Games and Violence

Once again, the debate about violent video games rages on.

Check out this article, posted today on CNN.com, that posits a link between violent video games and aggression in teens. To be sure, the study notes that similar links have been shown in relation to violent television and movies, but that doesn't change the overall argument. According to the study, such video games and other entertainment increase aggressive emotions in teen brains and normalize violence for gamers, desensitizing them to the realities and consequences of violence.

This is not a new argument, and it will probably go on for a long, long time. And the positions of those invovled in the debate are pretty clear and consistent: critics of video games decry the amount of violence in these virtual worlds while teens and video game enthusiasts say that they are being unfairly singled out and that playing video games or watching a violent movie doesn't translate into real life violence or aggression.

Let me be clear: I grew up playing video games, many of which had violent aspects. I would still play video games today if I didn't think it would devastate my productivity. I watched, and still watch, many movies and television shows that contain lots of violence. I've always been a fan of comic books, which are full of violence. I have listened to very aggressive music, and sometimes still do. Throughout my youth I played the violent sport of football and still love to watch it, almost religiously.

Violence has been and continues to be integrated into almost every aspect of my life. Beyond entertainment, the news I watch is full of violence, reflecting the world of violence we live in. The religion I practice and teach has violent themes and stories woven through it from beginning to end.

And I use to think that I proved the point that violence in the media we consume doesn't affect who we are as people. I'm not a violent person. I've never killed or even seriously hurt someone. Sure, I can be aggressive and competitive from time to time, and on occasion I'll "Hulk out" in my own way. But am I violent?

This line of reasoning used to make sense to me. But now I'm not so sure. As I've mentioned elsewhere on this blog, my thinking on this has been greatly challenged by the theological work of Walter Wink. I see the pervasiveness of violence in our society and I wonder what this does to us. Does it reinforce what Wink calls the "myth of redemptive violence", the idea that violence is the best way to right wrongs and accomplish our goals, even when they are just and noble goals?

If Wink is right that Jesus teaches a different way, not violence or pacifism but rather nonviolent resistance, what does this say about the violence that pervades our lives? How can we teach ourselves, and our society, that there is an alternative way if we are constantly bombarded by the violent way?

These are difficult questions that I continue to wrestle with. And I must admit that it's a whole lot easier to stop thinking and go see the new Rambo movie. But that probably just proves my point.

Ash Wednesday

"Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return."

I remember the people killed in tornadoes last night.

I remember the people in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

I remember those without food or a home.

I remember those who don't have health insurance.

I remember those without a family.

I remember the people of Iraq.

I remember the people of Afghanistan.

I remember the people of Israel.

I remember the people of Palestine.

I remember child soldiers in Africa, and now in Iraq.

I remember my grandfather, my Uncle Buster, and my cousin Jay.

I remember my family.

I remember my friends.

I remember my wife.

I remember that I am dust, and to dust I shall return.

Another Great Souper Bowl

The Souper Bowl of Caring is an awesome national movement among young people to raise awareness, money, and food for those who are hungry. It's a cool program because it builds on the excitement around the Super Bowl (great game this year, btw) and allows youth to choose which organizations their work supports.

You may remember that we set a Fourth Church record last year when the Bears played the Colts in the big game and we agreed to a challenge from Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. Check out this post for more info on what happened last year.

The Bears let us down this year, but we had something even more important to get excited about: the 25th anniversary of the Elam Davies Social Service Center, which was once again the recipient of our collection this year.

Our Elevation youth came out in force to blitz the congregation after worship this past Sunday, collecting money and non-perishable food items. As always, the collecting was a blast and we had a great time, followed up by a great football themed Youth and Families Lunch.

The totals are in, and we are pleased to announce a great collection to help the hungry in Chicago: $5,701.98 and 724 non-perishable food items. This brings our 7 year total up to $31,016.26 and 5,829 food items. Way to go Elevation and all those who contributed to this great cause!

For more information about the Souper Bowl of Caring, check out this cool promo video:

Feel the Spirit

Of the three persons of the Trinity—God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit—the Spirit is probably the most difficult for many of us to understand and relate to. The Spirit seems like the less "personable" of the three. It's not so clear what it means to engage with the Spirit.

I'm not going to try to offer a definition or some kind of sophisticated explanation. But I had a series of three experiences on Sunday that, for me at least, help make sense of some parts of what the Spirit is all about and how we might experience her in our lives.

On Sunday morning (and stretching into early afternoon), I took our confirmation class, Fourth Church Rising, on our annual visit to another Christian church. The point is to expose the confirmands to expressions of Christianity that are different from our own. It helps us understand others as well as ourselves.

This year we went to Trinity UCC on Chicago's south side. It was a 2 1/2 hour tour de force of spirited worship in classic and contemporary styles of African American churches. People sang and clapped and maybe even danced a little. The congregation was welcoming and gracious. The preaching by new pastor Otis Moss III was simply amazing—perhaps one of the best sermons I've ever heard. I was sincerely moved by the entire experience.

Immediately after returning downtown, I hopped in a cab and just barely made it in time to sneak in for the second and third acts of La traviata at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Since moving to Chicago I have tried to take advantage of one of the great cultural treasures this city has to offer and learn about opera. I've been to many performances and have found that I actually like opera quite a bit. This performance featured the great soprano Renée Fleming. To hear her sing the tragically sad songs of Violetta is nothing short of a spiritual experience. The pathos of opera is what most draws me in, and this performance was stunning.

Finally, I went home that night to watch the Packers ultimately lose to the Giants in overtime in the NFC championship game. I'm always amazed at football games and other sporting events. I love watching a stadium full of tens of thousands of people, all focused on the events happening on the field. The bond of the crowd creates a special atmosphere, a spirit if you will, that renders the entire stadium into something like a living organism. Add to that the millions who are watching on their televisions at home and you really have a massive collection of humanity focused on a common cause.

Church, opera, and football. The Spirit is a little like that.

Rich Jesus/Poor Jesus

Check out this great column about the ridiculous fallacies of the so called "Prosperity Gospel". Hilarious and right on!

Sweeney Todd and Violence

Here's another great post about violence in pop culture, this time about Sweeney Todd. Check out this post by Gareth Higgins on God's Politics.

I haven't seen the film version of Sweeney Todd yet, though I really want to. I saw the stage version several years ago at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and loved it. Hopefully, I'll see the film soon and post some thoughts...

Repackaging Comic Book Violence

Check out this post from Supernaut, a blogger on one of my favorite entertainment sites, Comics2Film.

Supernaut talks about a line of toys based on Marvel comic book characters aimed at younger children. The characters are rendered in child friendly proportions, with over sized heads and smiles. In short, the tiny figures are...cute.

Supernaut goes on to raise a good point. What does it mean to take these violent characters based on very adult themes and repackage them in child friendly versions?

Wolverine has razor sharp claws that he regularly uses to disembowel his enemies.

The Hulk is fueled by rage and leaves a path of destruction wherever he goes.

The Punisher is a vigilante assassin who won't hesitate to kill.

Ghost Rider made a deal with the devil and is possessed by a demon.

Supernaut takes this question in two directions. First, he wonders what we are actually selling our children. We call these character heroes, but they are clearly flawed heroes that deal in violence. Second, he wonders if these children versions water down the "real" versions consumed by adults.

I think Supernaut has really raised a great question. Those of you who know me know that I love comic books. I grew up on these characters and they are a big part of my pop culture canon.

But ever since reading Walter Wink's book The Powers That Be, I've had some serious questions about the pervasiveness of violence in our culture.

Wink's point is that our society is obsessed with violence as the best (or at least easiest) answer to our problems. This obsession has worked itself into our culture through what he calls the "myth of redemptive violence". This myth is clearly seen in our comic book and adventure heroes, who routinely save the world through the use of violence. Wink and others have pointed out how dangerous this kind of thinking is when elevated to public policy, such as our current propensity for war over diplomacy.

Violence is bad and Wink argues that through Jesus God has shown us an alternative way to address our problems. But this alternative vision is hard to promote against the entertaining myth of redemptive violence.

So I've been doing a lot of soul searching over the past few years and I still feel torn.

In the meantime, I join Supernaut in his questions about these toys. But, like him, I'm sure I would buy them for my children (and myself) as well.

Hairspray

So I finally watched the movie version of the hit musical, Hairspray. I had heard good things about it, including a rave review from my buddy Josh Patty, but I must admit that I didn't necessarily expect a whole lot. Boy, was I wrong. This movie is great!

The music is fantastic and a lot of fun. The cast is incredible. I didn't think I would care for John Travolta as Edna, but he really pulled it off well. The entire film is bright and energetic. It is the epitome of that old description, "a feel good movie".

I have never seen the original John Water's version, so I didn't really know what the story was about. Beyond all the campiness (which is half the fun), I was surprised to discover a story about serious issues.

At the heart of this film are themes of acceptance and equality. Ultimately, this is a movie about social justice. Tracy is on a mission to convince others that we should accept all people for who they are, regardless of how they look. Prejudices about appearance and race are confronted head on.

But this is not a preachy or moralizing movie. The message is delivered in the midst of all the singing and dancing fun in such a way that it doesn't beat you over the head. In fact, I sometimes found myself caught off guard with the realization that this movie is really about something.

If you haven't seen Hairspray, go out and get it now. You won't be disappointed.

Desk Excavation

Wow! I can't believe that it's been almost three months since my last blog. The fall and early winter blew by so quickly. So much has happened with Fourth Church Youth that it's hard to keep up!

For the past several months, my office has been evidence of this blur of time. My days have been so full that I haven't had time to keep things straight. The papers and books stacked up to dangerous levels. Things have remained untouched for months. I've been too embarrassed to hold meetings in my office. I haven't seen the surface of my desk or the cushions of my couches in ages.

Today I made some progress on excavating my desk. "Office archaeology", I'll call it. I found things that haven't seen the light of day for some time.

I'm hoping that things will slow down enough--or that I'll be organized and disciplined enough--to make some more progress.

And now it's time to start blogging again...

God Questions Are Good Questions

These questions were written by the youth and leaders of Fourth Church Rising, the 8th grade confirmation program at Fourth Presbyterian Church, at our fall retreat earlier this month. The questions are not listed in any particular order, but have been loosely grouped together by topic. The questions could be further subdivided into more specific topics, but this would begin to suggest answers, which we will explore together as we go along…

God

• How is it possible that God was always here? How did he exist in the first place?
• Why does God allow evil?
• If God created everything, who created God? (…and all the other deities mentioned in the creation story?)
• Why does God let people die of AIDS?
• Why does God let babies die?
• Does God listen to people’s prayers?
• Why does God let bad things happen?
• Is there really a God?
• How do we know God is real? Nobody has ever seen him in the last thousand years.
• If God can intervene, why do disasters happen? Were Darfur, Katrina, the tsunami, and 9/11 really in God’s plan?
• Does God answer our prayers? Does he hear them?
• Why should we worship someone who doesn’t answer?
• How does God smite people?
• How does God communicate with us?
• How does God deal with prayers?
• Why does God let bad things happen?
• Why does God let those kids in Africa starve to death?
• Why must we worship one who does not answer?
• If God created people in his image, why are there bad people?
• Are disasters a way of God getting around Noah’s covenant?
• Is God always with us?
• Why does God let innocent people get hurt?
• Why did God create guns?
• Why did God kill the lead singer of Sublime?

Creation

• Why was the earth created the way it was?
• Why were there dinosaurs?
• How did God create the universe?
• Why are there floods?

The Human Condition

• Why do people die?
• Why is it that when we try really hard to do something and make a genuine effort, it never seems to work out? (Not physical or academic things, but things in life in general.)
• Why do the Cubs keep losing?
• Why did God create humans so they have to sleep and eat?
• Is there a purpose for all the suffering on earth?
• Why am I the way I am?
• Why are there so many unanswered questions?
• Why do people have to die of cancer?
• Why were we created?
• Who am I? Why can’t you tell me who I am?
• Why do bad things happen?
• What is God trying to show me when I fight with my mother or boyfriend?
• What did I do wrong to deserve such horrible health issues? And why have I come out of surgeries successfully and others haven’t?
• If everything happens for a reason, why do people get hurt or die?
• Does everything happen for a reason?
• Why are some people liked more than others?
• Why are there hermaphrodites?

Jesus Christ

• Why do we believe in Jesus Christ?
• Was Mary a hermaphrodite?

The Bible

• How do we know the Bible contains real stories?
• Why didn’t God write the Bible himself?

Justice

• Why don’t Africans have water or food?
• Why doesn’t God protect those who can’t protect themselves?
• Why is segregation still in the world?
• Why are there people in Africa who are still starving?
• What’s the reason for poverty?

Christianity

• If Christianity is the true faith, what happens to non-Christians?

After Life

• If we go to heaven for eternity after life, what is the point of life?
• Does everyone go to heaven?
• What is heaven and hell?
• Do heaven and hell exist?

The Gospel According to TV

Mark Pinsky, the author of The Gospel According to the Simpsons, has written a good summary piece for Sightings about the presence of faith on TV. Check it out: "TV's Leap of Faith". Anyone who has heard me preach or even had a conversation with me knows that I agree with Pinsky'sbasic premise, that TV (and all of pop culture) is an important place to find religious discourse in our society and therefore an important conversation partner for the church as we think about God and humanity. As Pinsky and others observe, more people will watch these shows than will ever hear our sermons or Bible lessons...so we better be paying attention and we better be willing to join the conversation.

U2charist Rocks Fourth Church

On September 5, the U2 tribute band Elevation teamed up with Fourth Church Youth to create a worship experience unlike anything in the over 90 year history of the Fourth Church sanctuary. You can read more about the service here. You can check out a few pictures here.

It was definitely a unique experience, and I was somewhat serious that evening when I joked that I hoped to have a job the next morning. Thankfully, I am still the youth pastor at Fourth Church and I look forward to other opportunities to explore alternative worship experiences for youth and others.

To be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect for this U2charist. We had about 200-250 people there, which isn't bad for the first time trying something, though I had secretly hoped for a packed house.

I worked hard to be sure that the U2 music we used in the service had integrity as worship music, and I think we mostly succeeded. I followed some of the basic contours of previous U2charists, but I made sure to give it a Presbyterian spin and made some different music selections than I had seen before. I also tried to weave the themes of the service together in my sermon, and folks have reported that this worked as well.

In the end, I think this was a great part of our fall kick-off (I know that the youth in attendance loved it) and a great experiment for us here at Fourth. It was moving to see youth and others connect with worship in a way that they hadn't before. It took us a while to loosen up (we are still Presbyterians, after all), but the congregation eventually got into it. The dancing in the aisles and pews didn't happen until the extended "Postlude" at the end, but that's okay. The music was loud in the sanctuary, but our ears eventually stopped ringing.

We were also able to collect a great offering for the PC(USA)’s Self-Development of People ministry, which is a good thing.

Finally, the experience raised lots of important questions about worship. Here are a few thoughts to ponder:

• Can "pop" music like U2 be used in worship in a meaningful way?
• What are those U2 songs really about, anyway?
• Does music need to be specifically written for worship in order to be worshipful or appropriate for worship?
• Is there a line between worship and entertainment? What is it? Does an experience like this blur the line too much?

There are many other I could list, but this will do for now.

In the meantime, for those interested in how we structured the service, here is the order of worship. Enjoy!

Prelude
"Beautiful Day"
"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"

Welcome

Call to Worship

Song of Praise
"Elevation"

Prayer of Confession

Assurance of Pardon

Response
"All Because of You"

Prayer for Illumination

Scripture
Genesis 1:24-31

Psalter
"40"

Scripture
Galatians 3:23-39

Sermon
"The Paradox of One"

Sermon Response
"One"

Apostles Creed

Prayers of the People

Offering
"Love and Peace or Else"

Doxology

The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
"Peace on Earth"
"Yahweh"

Sending Song
"Walk On"

Benediction

Postlude
"City of Blinding Lights"
"Vertigo"
"New Year's Day"
"When Love Comes to Town"
"Pride (In The Name of Love)"
"Sunday, Bloody Sunday"
"Where the Streets Have No Name"

Peace Day

The United Nations General Assembly has set aside September 21 of each year as an International Day of Peace, a global day of ceasefire and non-violence. The World Council of Churches and the Presbyterian Church (USA) have asked that we remember today as a day to pray for peace in our world. As we read the news from throughout the world, the need for peace and prayer is clear and urgent. You can read more about this global call for peace by exploring the following links:

• A Presbyterian News Service article about Peace Day
• The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program
• The International Day of Peace website

Whether you read this on September 21 or some other time, please consider pausing to join countless others in praying the following prayer from the Presbyterian United Nations Office:

O God,
Guide the peoples and nations
to make today a day of peace,
a day when wars are suspended,
and weapons laid aside.
May the spirit of this day of peace
guide us to the time
when bows are broken,
spears are shattered,
weapons are dismantled,
war is no more
and peace prevails
throughout your world.
Bless afresh the peacemakers
who work for that time.
Move us to join them.
In Jesus Christ we pray.
Amen.

U2charist

Tomorrow night is the beginning of our 2007 Kick-Off for Fourth Church Youth. We're starting off with a bang by hosting a U2charist in the Fourth Church sanctuary from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

What's a U2charist? It's a communion service with U2 music. The idea was developed by Sarah Dylan Breuer in the Episcopal church and the first U2charist was held in Baltimore, Maryland in 2004. It has since grown into a worldwide phenomenon. Services such as this lift up social justice themes and promote the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, a cause championed by U2 and Bono, especially through his One Campaign. U2 gives permission for their music to be used in worship services like this as long as all the money collected through offerings is given to organizations furthering the Millennium Development Goals. Tomorrow's offering will be given to the PC(USA)’s Self-Development of People ministry.

To say the least, this will be a new and unique worship service at Fourth Church and I hope many people will come out to experience it.

Youth will help lead worship.

Live U2 music will be provided by the incredible Chicago-based U2 tribute band, Elevation.

God will be praised.

Bread will be broken.

I can't wait for this service and I'm looking forward to reporting and reflecting about it here on this blog.

For a taste of what's to come, check out this video:

Gulf Coast: Two Years Later

Today marks the two year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's landfall on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi. To read and watch the news stories today is to hear the all too familiar account of failed relief and continuing devastation. Cities remain depopulated and unrepaired. Lives remain shattered and broken.

As our nation and the world pause to remember the tragedies of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (which for me, at least, always brings to mind countless other tragedies that continue to happen), we should pray. We should pray for those whose lives have forever been changed by these storms and their aftermaths. We should pray for those who are in positions of power and have the capacity to sustain recovery and prevent future disasters like this. We should pray for the countless volunteers who have given selflessly of their time, talents, and resources to help those in need.

I will be co-leading Fourth Church's next trip to New Orleans, December 29-January 5, and I'm hoping to recruit several of our current college students and other Fourth Church Youth alums to join us. We've also talked about the possibility of bringing next year's Senior High WorkCamp down to the Gulf Coast. I'm excited about these opportunities and look forward to participating in God's work with our brothers and sisters down south.

Hazard: Senior High WorkCamp 2007

From July 28 to August 4, 25 high school youth and 7 adults ventured to Hazard, Kentucky to build and repair homes for low-income families. We worked with the Hazard/Perry County Housing Development Alliance and had the pleasure of serving many great people in Perry County. We worked on a variety of challenging projects and learned much about the socioeconomic realities of this portion of America's coal industry in Appalachia. All of us who participated in this trip came back with a new outlook on where our energy comes from and how much it truly costs--not just in terms of dollars, but in terms of human life.

In addition to this life-changing service and eye-opening education, we had a ton of fun growing as a group, listening to bluegrass music, relaxing on the lake, playing the best game of Night Crossing ever, and much, much more.

To give you a sense of what we experienced, I will post the daily devotions that were written by youth and leaders on the trip and distributed to the congregation of Fourth Church and beyond.

You should also check out the video and pictures posted below.

This was an incredible trip. If you weren't able to go this year, go ahead and mark these dates for next year: July 26-August 3, 2008.



Pictures (Facebook albums):
Senior High WorkCamp 1
Senior High WorkCamp 2
Senior High WorkCamp 3
Senior High WorkCamp 4
Senior High WorkCamp 5
Senior High WorkCamp 6
Senior High WorkCamp 7
Senior High WorkCamp 8
Senior High WorkCamp 9
Senior High WorkCamp 10
Senior High WorkCamp 11
Senior High WorkCamp 12
Senior High WorkCamp 13

We All Can Help...

Check out this great story ("Youths take a stand against hunger") at the Greater Chicago Food Depository. By raising $261 with a lemonade stand in Brookfield, three boys were able to provide over 1000 meals for the hungry in Chicago. Way to go, guys!

The boys got all the materials for the lemonade stand from Sunkist as part of their Take a Stand program. This is a great way for young people (ages 7-12) to help out others in need. Are you interested in doing something like this? It would be awesome to have a bunch of Fourth Church Children and Youth raise money for the important work of the Elam Davies Social Service Center here at the church. Order yourself a lemonade stand and we can help you get the money to the Social Service Center. We'll also be sure to report on your efforts here on our blog.

When life gives you lemons...

Severus Snape: Friend or Foe?

While I'm pointing out great articles at Sightings, here's one about Harry Potter: "Severus Snape and the Transparency of Evil."

Some of you may have finished the final installment of the Harry Potter series, so you may know the final word on Severus Snape and his loyalties. If you do, don't spoil it for others!

This article makes the important theological point that no one is really purely evil or purely good...we're all a mix of both and we need to remember this when we think about others and ourselves. The character of Severus Snape gives readers of the Harry Potter series an opportunity to explore this ambiguity that is at the core of human nature.

Ape Religion?

Do you have an opinion on the debates about evolution, creationism, or intelligent design? This whole thing was quite a stumbling block for me when I was growing up in a fundamentalist Baptist church. In fact, I continued to wrestle with this until a few years into college. I'm happy to say that now I don't see a conflict between science and my faith, but that realization didn't happen overnight.

Wherever you stand on this issue, you might be interested in this fascinating article, "Religion of the Apes", from Sightings, one of my favorite Internet publications. The author begins by noting a recent conference at the Lincoln Park Zoo here in Chicago and goes on to make some intriguing observations about ape behavior. His comments suggest a pretty close link between ape culture and human culture.

As I write this, I'm reminded of an exhibit I saw this past spring at the San Diego Museum of Man on human evolution. If you are ever in San Diego, you should check it out!

Senior High Car/Dog Wash

I know it was a while ago (July 1), but I finally have some pictures from the Car/Dog Wash. This was a great fundraiser to help support or upcoming WorkCamp to Hazard, Kentucky. Check out the pictures at this Facebook album: Senior High Car/Dog Wash.

Elevation WhirlyBall

This past Sunday a small group of us had a WhirlyBall court all to ourselves for three hours. It awesome--I have the bruises and Natasha has the whiplash to prove it!

WhirlyBall is one of my favorite things ever. Besides Chicago itself, WhirlyBall is just about the best thing to come out of the Midwest. One of my most memorable sermons was a confirmation sermon called "WhirlyBall Changed My Life." It did...and still does!

If you missed out, don't worry. There will be many more opportunities for WhirlyBall in the future. And Senior Highs will be playing in August, so don't worry...we're not forgetting you!

Another Great Blog from Ghana

A while back I posted a blog from my friend Kimberlee who is currently serving as a Young Adult Volunteer in Ghana. Her most recent post will really make you think:

it's sort of like camping...

Elevation WorkCamp 2007

From June 14 to June 17, thirteen Elevation youth and three adults travelled to Bloomington, Illinois to volunteer at the Summer Games of the Illinois Special Olympics. We had a blast serving the athletes and bonding with each other. In addition to working at various Special Olympics events, we grew closer as a group, went rock climbing, played at Grady's, worshipped together, and screamed way too much. Oh yeah, and Mac puked ranch dressing and jello out of his nose. All in all, it was an incredible trip!!!

For pictures from the trip, check out these Facebook albums:

Elevation WorkCamp 2007

More Elevation WorkCamp 2007

Even More Elevation WorkCamp 2007

Still More Elevation WorkCamp 2007

Whether you went on the trip or not, join us for WhirlyBall and WorkCamp Reunion:

• All Elevation Youth are invited!
• We'll play WhirlyBall and share stories and pictures from WorkCamp!
• WhirlyBall Chicago: 1880 W. Fullerton Avenue
• 1:00-4:oo pm
• Cost: $20 (for WhirlyBall and snacks)
• RSVP to Natasha Holbert by July 1 at 312.274.3831 or nholbert@fourthchurch.org

Day of Interfaith Youth Service

On Sunday, April 22 a group of Senior Highs (Stu, Ben, Jake S., Jeff, Jake D., Renee, Jessica, Natasha, and myself) ventured to Humboldt Park for a Day of Interfaith Service sponsored by Interfaith Youth Core.

We had a great time cleaning up and mulching parts of the park (in observance of Earth Day), engaging in inter-religious dialogue, and enjoying fellowship with each other and new friends.

IFYC is a great organization that I hope we continue to be involved with. Inter-religious education, dialogue, and experiences are so incredibly important in today's world. It was a lot of fun to collaborate with youth and adults from a wide range of religious backgrounds on a common cause: the protection and beautification of our natural environment.

For pictures of our group participating in this event, check out this Facebook album: Chicago Day of Interfaith Service. For all of the pictures taken that day, follow this link.

Holy Pancakes!

Our first ever Pancake Breakfast on April 15 was a great success. We made tons of pancakes, raised lots of money for the Senior High WorkCamp, and had a blast doing it!

For lots of pictures from this great event, check out the following Facebook albums:

• Holy Pancakes!
• More Pancakes!
• Even More Pancakes!
  

Presbyterians in Blacksburg

Presbyterians have been some of the first responders to the killings at Virginia Tech this week. Check out this news story from the PC(USA) to read about what has been going on.

Here are links to Blacksburg Presbyterian Church and Cooper House, the Presbyterian Campus Ministry at Virginia Tech. The campus minister at Cooper House is Catherine Snyder.

Let's hold all of these saints in our prayers.

Daily Devotion

Rather than our regular Daily Devotion today, Fourth Church sent out a special devotion reflecting on the events at Virginia Tech. It was written by Hardy Kim, one of our Pastoral Residents. I want to post it here for you to read. Thanks, Hardy!

Scripture Reading: Luke 19:37–44

Reflection
Only ten days ago we joyfully celebrated the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Only ten days ago we proclaimed the victory of life over death, of good over evil. Yesterday, it seems, we still glowed from the warmth, the day, family and friends; we had new life.

And so the tragic events at Virginia Tech are even more shocking and hard to accept. From where in this resurrection world does something like this spring?

Joseph Conrad once wrote, “The belief in a supernatural source of evil is not necessary; men alone are quite capable of every wickedness.” The tragic events in Blacksburg, Virginia, certainly seem to confirm Conrad’s view.

However, I do not seek a source for the evil in times like these. Rather, I sorely feel the need for a supernatural source of healing and goodness. Faced with the senseless loss of thirty-three lives, I search for a miraculous spiritual cure-all to provide comfort for my grieving heart, wisdom for appropriate words, and strength to sustain a weary mind.

Still, today’s text reminds us that the surprising strength of our faith is not to be found in these kinds of answers. The power and love of God was revealed in a human being, Jesus Christ, much like us; a human being who, even as he was being welcomed as a king and savior, took notice of the suffering and pain in the world and wept over the brokenness of Jerusalem. This same God is with us now. Though resurrected and victorious in Christ, God is still with us in our brokenness and suffering, and God still weeps for all of those who are suffering from the events of April 16 in Virginia and all tragic happenings around the world.

Prayer
God of the resurrection, remind me that even though you have defeated death and have overcome this world, you do not abandon us, who have yet to do so. Be with us in our time of grief, and comfort us even if we are not wise enough to have all the answers to life’s awful mysteries. Let us know the love of a God who weeps for us, even now. Amen.

A Service of Remembrance
All are invited to participate in a service of remembrance for those affected by the tragic events at Virginia Tech. Fourth Presbyterian Church will be holding two such services this Thursday:
Service of Remembrance
Thursday, April 19, 2007
12:10 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
in the Fourth Church sanctuary

In the Wake of Tragedy

Dear Fourth Church Youth and Parents:

With so many people across our country, our hearts broke yesterday with the news of the shooting deaths at Virginia Tech. As the tragedy continues to unfold before our eyes, our grief only grows.

These horrific events are especially difficult for us to process. So many of us are either heading to college next year or have siblings or children in college now. As numerous people have mentioned, schools should be sanctuaries and safe places for learning and growing. When that safety is violated, we are all unsettled.

As we grieve as a nation and as a community, I want you to be aware of two things. First, if any of you—youth and parents alike—need to talk with a pastor, I am always available for you.

Second, the community of faith at Fourth Church will be gathering at two different times on Thursday for a prayer service of remembrance. For those that work downtown or are available during the day, there will be a service at noontime. For students, families, and others for whom noon doesn't fit, there will be a service at 7:30 Thursday evening. I encourage you to come join us as we turn to God in this time of tragedy.

If you need anything at all, please be in touch.

May God be with us all in these difficult times.

peace,

John

If you burn it, he will come...

Wouldn't it be awesome if Jesus showed up on a pancake at Fourth Church?

There's only one way to find out...come to the first ever Senior High Pancake Breakfast on April 15 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. The money we raise from this event will help support our summer WorkCamp to Hazard, Kentucky.

If you are in Senior Highs or Fourth Church Rising, we need your help to cook and serve pancakes from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. If you are "the man" or "the woman", like Jeff McGuire (I'm not sure which), you'll be there for the whole thing. If you absolutely can't make all of it, come for what you can...we'll need your help and it will be a lot of fun too.

If we're lucky, Jesus will show up on a pancake.

Lenten Devotions 8

Now that Lent has come and gone and we are now officially into the season of Easter, I want to do something I meant to do throughout Lent. As you may know, Fourth Church puts out daily devotions that are available via email, on the website, or in print each week. Most of the time, these are written by members of the Fourth Church staff. During special seasons of the church year, like Lent, we also invite members of the congregation to contribute to these. This year's Lent devotions were excellent, and several of them were written by Fourth Church youth or adults associated with the youth program. As something of a Lenten retrospective, I want to post these Fourth Church Youth devotions on this blog, in case you missed them before. Thanks to all who worked hard on writing these!

Scripture Reading: Matthew 24:3–14

Reflection
Apocalyptic views of the world aren’t images that get a lot of attention in mainline Christian denominations. Yet today’s passage uses such language, which we also find in Revelation, and references apocalyptic verses from the Old Testament. So what is its relevance to us?

Jesus is trying to prepare the disciples for the struggles they will face in the days and years ahead as they spread his story. In fact, there is some indication that the writer of Matthew may have been speaking to the then-current-day realities of early Christians. Buried in Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ question is a promise: “The one who endures to the end will be saved.”

This prediction of hardship echoes Jesus’ own persecution and passion. But Jesus’ struggle is ultimately our struggle. He endured the cross and grave so that we wouldn’t have to.

As we experience the Passion story this week, think of the struggles in your own life. Perhaps it is unemployment, a bout with cancer or other illness, a difficult time at work, grief over the loss of loved one, or a failed relationship. Whatever the struggle, remember his promise.

Our challenge is to look beyond the doomsday scenarios and see the new beginning. Indeed, the story of Easter is ultimately one of hope—hope that after a long ordeal there are better days to come. That’s often a difficult thing to remember in the midst of an ordeal. Yet it is the foundation of our faith, and for me, it has been the basis for comfort, strength, and confidence in good times and bad.

Prayer
Jesus, as I journey through this Holy Week, remind me that your struggle is my struggle. Strengthen my faith through the story of your passion and resurrection, and remind me of your promise that there will be better days. Amen.

Written by Mark Nelson, Senior High Leader

Lenten Devotions 7

Now that Lent has come and gone and we are now officially into the season of Easter, I want to do something I meant to do throughout Lent. As you may know, Fourth Church puts out daily devotions that are available via email, on the website, or in print each week. Most of the time, these are written by members of the Fourth Church staff. During special seasons of the church year, like Lent, we also invite members of the congregation to contribute to these. This year's Lent devotions were excellent, and several of them were written by Fourth Church youth or adults associated with the youth program. As something of a Lenten retrospective, I want to post these Fourth Church Youth devotions on this blog, in case you missed them before. Thanks to all who worked hard on writing these!

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:46–52

Reflection
Our culture relishes distraction more than any other before us. From our iPods to our cell phones, it is hard to find even a brief respite from our technological immersion. In a sign of this growing problem, last month a New York state senator attempted to ban “iPod oblivion,” an aptly named phenomenon that describes people who withdraw from the world into their iPods even when crossing streets, a phenomenon which has already killed three people. Now more than ever it is a struggle to escape the draw of these distractions and find our true calling. We must strain even harder to hear the voice of the needy, the impoverished, and the sick. Amid the chime of our cell phones and Blackberries, it is hard to discern their cries, “Have mercy on me, help me.” In a world where a phone call is all too accessible, we ask in the words of our savior for our true calling: What do you want me to do for you, God?

Prayer
Lord, help me to see through the distractions, to place others needs before my own, to hear the voices—which are all too often obscured by our own interests—calling, “Have mercy on me.” You have fulfilled so many of my own needs, now help me to fulfill those of others, and help me, in my own way, to heal the blind man calling my name. Amen.

Written by Jeremy Lewis, Fourth Church Youth sophomore in high school

Lenten Devotions 6

Now that Lent has come and gone and we are now officially into the season of Easter, I want to do something I meant to do throughout Lent. As you may know, Fourth Church puts out daily devotions that are available via email, on the website, or in print each week. Most of the time, these are written by members of the Fourth Church staff. During special seasons of the church year, like Lent, we also invite members of the congregation to contribute to these. This year's Lent devotions were excellent, and several of them were written by Fourth Church youth or adults associated with the youth program. As something of a Lenten retrospective, I want to post these Fourth Church Youth devotions on this blog, in case you missed them before. Thanks to all who worked hard on writing these!

Scripture Reading: Mark 2:1–12

Reflection
No doubt, Jesus himself must have looked up too. And what did he see? No, Jesus was not struck by the demolition of the ceiling, but he saw their faith—not their faces, but their faith!

What have you never seen before?

Jesus is liberating the one who is paralyzed, and in the process a new kind of community is being created. Because when God is set loose in the world, then God sets about creating a community of compassion, grace, liberation, and hope. God’s mission is “to empower all people to experience the presence of God, to grow toward wholeness, and to act in love.” When Jesus performs these signs and wonders, the people are astonished because they’ve never seen anything like this. But in these moments their eyes are opened, and they can see who Jesus is. May we too have our eyes open to see God’s new work in the world and at our church. May our prejudices be revealed, our barriers broken down, so that God’s inclusive community might be created in our midst. And that will be the greatest wonder of them all. Bear in faith, there are still miracles to be made and people to be saved. Trust in the Lord whom we cannot see, because he can see you; he sees us, and he sees me.

Prayer
Lord Father God, help me to remember that on this day I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed! Your love and mercy overflows more and more with knowledge and full insight to help me determine what is best. With assurance and faith in your words, never will you leave me, never will you forsake me. In Jesus Christ, Amen.

Written by Florence Adibu, Fourth Church Youth senior in high school

Lenten Devotions 5

Now that Lent has come and gone and we are now officially into the season of Easter, I want to do something I meant to do throughout Lent. As you may know, Fourth Church puts out daily devotions that are available via email, on the website, or in print each week. Most of the time, these are written by members of the Fourth Church staff. During special seasons of the church year, like Lent, we also invite members of the congregation to contribute to these. This year's Lent devotions were excellent, and several of them were written by Fourth Church youth or adults associated with the youth program. As something of a Lenten retrospective, I want to post these Fourth Church Youth devotions on this blog, in case you missed them before. Thanks to all who worked hard on writing these!

Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 2:4–7

Reflection
My initial response to the text for today was, “Who did I make mad to get assigned this one?” As I continued to think, read, and talk to my wife, I began to consider the two major thoughts of the text—one of forsakenness and desolation and one of promise. I sometimes feel forsaken as I busy myself with my career and the “important” things in life. But these are the things of the world—things unimportant to God. God doesn’t focus on destruction and devastation. Ours is a God of renewal and regeneration.

Zephaniah reminds me that God himself is preparing a place for me. A place where I will return, not when I get around to it but when God calls for me. As the world calls me to its agenda, I will be reminded that there is a place of quiet rest that God is preparing. I don’t think our world is a quiet place. It is a place where the people of God must remember that God is in charge, God intervenes for us, and God calls us to return from those things that hold us captive.

Prayer
God of returning captives: Help me remember during the strife that I create that you have already prepared a place for me. Not because I deserve it but because you wanted to. Let me live in this knowledge and understanding throughout this Lenten season and beyond. Through Christ Jesus, my Savior. Amen.

Written by Rob Sinclair, Elevation Sunday School Teacher

Lenten Devotions 5

Now that Lent has come and gone and we are now officially into the season of Easter, I want to do something I meant to do throughout Lent. As you may know, Fourth Church puts out daily devotions that are available via email, on the website, or in print each week. Most of the time, these are written by members of the Fourth Church staff. During special seasons of the church year, like Lent, we also invite members of the congregation to contribute to these. This year's Lent devotions were excellent, and several of them were written by Fourth Church youth or adults associated with the youth program. As something of a Lenten retrospective, I want to post these Fourth Church Youth devotions on this blog, in case you missed them before. Thanks to all who worked hard on writing these!

Scripture Reading: Zephaniah 2:4–7

Reflection
My initial response to the text for today was, “Who did I make mad to get assigned this one?” As I continued to think, read, and talk to my wife, I began to consider the two major thoughts of the text—one of forsakenness and desolation and one of promise. I sometimes feel forsaken as I busy myself with my career and the “important” things in life. But these are the things of the world—things unimportant to God. God doesn’t focus on destruction and devastation. Ours is a God of renewal and regeneration.

Zephaniah reminds me that God himself is preparing a place for me. A place where I will return, not when I get around to it but when God calls for me. As the world calls me to its agenda, I will be reminded that there is a place of quiet rest that God is preparing. I don’t think our world is a quiet place. It is a place where the people of God must remember that God is in charge, God intervenes for us, and God calls us to return from those things that hold us captive.

Prayer
God of returning captives: Help me remember during the strife that I create that you have already prepared a place for me. Not because I deserve it but because you wanted to. Let me live in this knowledge and understanding throughout this Lenten season and beyond. Through Christ Jesus, my Savior. Amen.

Written by Rob Sinclair, Elevation Sunday School Teacher

Lenten Devotions 4

Now that Lent has come and gone and we are now officially into the season of Easter, I want to do something I meant to do throughout Lent. As you may know, Fourth Church puts out daily devotions that are available via email, on the website, or in print each week. Most of the time, these are written by members of the Fourth Church staff. During special seasons of the church year, like Lent, we also invite members of the congregation to contribute to these. This year's Lent devotions were excellent, and several of them were written by Fourth Church youth or adults associated with the youth program. As something of a Lenten retrospective, I want to post these Fourth Church Youth devotions on this blog, in case you missed them before. Thanks to all who worked hard on writing these!

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 29:1–14

Reflection
The Bible often tells of those who leave their homes to follow God’s call. Abraham and Sarah, Moses, Hagar, Jacob—people who wandered in the wilderness, the desert, or in foreign lands, eager for guidance from the Lord. In Jeremiah, when the prophet is sharing God’s word, the people are exiled. God tells them to stay put—to marry, spend time with family, plant gardens, care for their new neighbors—and to enjoy a rather pleasant domestic life.

This reminds me of a time when I was stuck in an unsatisfying job. I prayed that God would tell me what to do, because surely God must want me to do something bigger and better! Finally I realized I could either check out or commit to do God’s work right where I was.

I chose to pray for the boss who made my life difficult and to look out for teammates who couldn’t speak up for themselves. I suddenly felt more satisfied—and more aware of the Spirit at work in this big corporation. Even my disagreeable boss somehow seemed more likeable! God doesn’t always call us to faraway places, but God does call each and every one of us to seek the welfare of our own city and to pray for those around us.

Prayer
Good and gracious God, help me to seek your will and to do your work wherever I may be. Amen.

Written by Amy Pagliarella, Fourth Church Rising Leader

Lenten Devotions 3

Now that Lent has come and gone and we are now officially into the season of Easter, I want to do something I meant to do throughout Lent. As you may know, Fourth Church puts out daily devotions that are available via email, on the website, or in print each week. Most of the time, these are written by members of the Fourth Church staff. During special seasons of the church year, like Lent, we also invite members of the congregation to contribute to these. This year's Lent devotions were excellent, and several of them were written by Fourth Church youth or adults associated with the youth program. As something of a Lenten retrospective, I want to post these Fourth Church Youth devotions on this blog, in case you missed them before. Thanks to all who worked hard on writing these!

Scripture Reading: Isaiah 44:24–45:7

Reflection
The beautiful words of this ancient oracle are remarkable because this is the only place in the Bible that a non-Israelite is called God’s messiah (“anointed”)—a title normally reserved for Israel’s kings and priests and later applied to Jesus. Anticipating objections to this shocking claim, the prophet reminds his audience that God can act however God pleases, even if it means using the Persian king Cyrus to accomplish the salvation of Israel.

But this passage is even more remarkable for being one of the few places in the Bible that clearly articulates a fascinating, though extremely challenging theology: if God is truly in control of history (and our individual lives), then God is responsible for both the good parts and the bad parts. Our euphemistic English translations of this passage obscure the force of this theology. Let those with ears to hear listen to a more accurate rendering: “I form light and create darkness, I make good and create evil; I the Lord do all these things.”

As we prepare our hearts and minds for Holy Week during the season of Lent, we are confronted with one of the most mystifying paradoxes of the Christian faith: an unquestionably evil act of horrific violence and gross injustice is at the heart God’s work of redemption and salvation.

Sometimes I find myself objecting to the cross as defiantly as those Jews who would have resisted calling Cyrus their messiah. To this objection Isaiah offers a challenging possibility: perhaps God is in fact behind both the good and the bad. What this might mean for the mystery of the cross and the mystery of our own lives is worth exploring.

Prayer
Dear God, open my heart and mind to the mysteries of your ways as I face the difficulties of life and the realities of the cross. Amen.

Written by John Vest, Associate Pastor for Youth Ministry

Lenten Devotions 2

Now that Lent has come and gone and we are now officially into the season of Easter, I want to do something I meant to do throughout Lent. As you may know, Fourth Church puts out daily devotions that are available via email, on the website, or in print each week. Most of the time, these are written by members of the Fourth Church staff. During special seasons of the church year, like Lent, we also invite members of the congregation to contribute to these. This year's Lent devotions were excellent, and several of them were written by Fourth Church youth or adults associated with the youth program. As something of a Lenten retrospective, I want to post these Fourth Church Youth devotions on this blog, in case you missed them before. Thanks to all who worked hard on writing these!

Scripture Reading: Genesis 46:28–47:6

Reflection
This passage is essentially the happy ending to Jacob’s story. After long years of believing his beloved son Joseph dead, Jacob is not only reunited with Joseph, but finds Joseph to be a wealthy, powerful man. All the bitterness Joseph may have felt at being sold into slavery by his brothers leaves him when he sees Benjamin and his brothers’ protection of Benjamin, so Joseph welcomes the whole family into Egypt, using his influence to give them good land for raising their livestock so that they will not starve, despite the continuing drought.

Such a happy ending is satisfying to read because in our busy lives it is often hard to see God’s plan for us. We all have uncertainty about what the future may hold; we wait to hear back from colleges, doctors, faraway significant others, and what have you. There are times when it is hard to trust that God holds us all in the palm of his hand, when life seems senseless and we are overwhelmed by the fear that there will be no comfortable retirement, no grandchildren, no happy ending. It is good then to read about Jacob who, after all the troubles in his long life, is reunited with his son and lives out his last days content, his sons cared for and his legacy through them assured.

Prayer
God, make me strong to always trust in the future provided by you and to trust that, like Jacob, I have a happy ending awaiting me. Amen.

Written by Cassandra Kildow, Fourth Church Youth senior in high school

Lenten Devotions 1

Now that Lent has come and gone and we are now officially into the season of Easter, I want to do something I meant to do throughout Lent. As you may know, Fourth Church puts out daily devotions that are available via email, on the website, or in print each week. Most of the time, these are written by members of the Fourth Church staff. During special seasons of the church year, like Lent, we also invite members of the congregation to contribute to these. This year's Lent devotions were excellent, and several of them were written by Fourth Church youth or adults associated with the youth program. As something of a Lenten retrospective, I want to post these Fourth Church Youth devotions on this blog, in case you missed them before. Thanks to all who worked hard on writing these!

Scripture Reading: Genesis 1:1–5

Reflection
Yesterday we stood, once again, at the beginning of our journey to the foot of the cross. We quietly received our ashes and heard the words, “Remember you are dust and unto dust you shall return.” Ashes too remind us of our deep need for God and how we have strayed from the source of our life, from the source of our very being. Today we read the words “the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters . . . and there was light . . . and God separated the light from the darkness.” In this time of preparation, to absorb once again the lengths to which God is willing to go—even to a cross—to bring us home from wherever we have strayed, I was struck by the image of the breath of God sweeping over the face of the deep. I could not help but think of the moments in our lives where we feel the breath of God sweeping across our faces and we feel the light of God illuminating our deepest darkness as if it were the first day. And I was reminded once again that even in the preceding darkness, God is there. As we remember how far we have strayed from our God, let us too remember that, be it day or night, there is nowhere we can go where our loving God cannot, and will not, seek us out.

Prayer
May I never forget the great expanse of your love, O God. Let me live fully, all to your glory, in the knowledge that even should I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand will lead me and your right hand shall always hold me fast. Amen.

Written by Linda McCarty, Fourth Church Rising Leader

Community Book Group

Later this month, I will be leading Fourth Church's Community Book Group. The book for this month is Tim O'Brien's The Things They Carried. This is an incredible book, so I wanted to invite you to come and participate in the discussion. You may have read this book already...it was recommended to me last year by some students at Hinsdale Central High School who had read it for class. If you haven't read it, it's definitely worth it.

The book group will meet on Tuesday, April 24 at Fourth Church from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

I hope to see you there!

Preach It!

This commentary by Roland Martin, a talk show host from here in Chicago, is featured on CNN.com today. I thought it was worth sharing, not just because I agree with his perspective, but because it is getting wide exposure through a media giant like CNN. We need to get more Christian voices like this one out there.

Here are some highlights from Martin's commentary:

"When did it come to the point that being a Christian meant caring about only two issues,­ abortion and homosexuality?"

"Many people believe we are engaged in a holy war. And we are. But it's not with Muslims. The real war -- ­ the silent war ­-- is being engaged among Christians, and that's what we must set our sights on."

"I've grown tired of people who pimp God."

"If abortion and gay marriage are part of the Christian agenda, I have no issue with that. Those are moral issues that should be of importance to people of the faith, but the agenda should be much, much broader."

Were You There?

Just moments ago, I returned to my office after our Maundy Thursday Tenebrae Service at Fourth Church. It was a powerful service of communion, scripture reading, singing, and the extinguishing of candles as the sanctuary grew progressively darker.

I've been to many tenebrae services before, but this was my first at Fourth. Sitting on the chancel, looking back on this magnificent building created for the purpose of worshiping a God of awe and wonder, I was moved by the presence of the Spirit.

I'm often humbled when I lead worship at Fourth. It's such an amazing worship space with such an incredible history.

But tonight I felt something a little different. As the sanctuary grew dark, with every light extinguished, I realized that the darkness that we experienced tonight is the same darkness that envelops every place of worship during this Holy Week. Darkness doesn't discriminate. From the smallest chapel to the largest cathedral, we find ourselves in utter darkness. The passion of Christ reminds us with startling immediacy of the darkness in our world, a darkness that the love of God in Christ comes to vanquish. But we must all live in the darkness, at least for a little while.

In the darkness tonight, as the city moved with life outside the walls of our sanctuary, everyone inside was perfectly still and quiet, except for a single voice singing the powerful words of the old spiritual, "Were You There?"

Were you there? I wonder if the African American slaves that first sang this song knew the profundity of this theology? Whether they could have put into words or not, I suspect that they did. They felt it in there deepest beings.

Were you there? Throughout the evening we heard the story of Christ's passion read. The voices were those of my colleagues, my friends.

Were you there? When our pastor, John Buchanan, introduced the Lord's Supper, he retold the story of Jesus' final meal with his friends with an intensity and gravitas that I have rarely felt before.

I was there.

This story is my story. It's our story. And we relive it every year at this time.

Truth be told, we relive it every day of our lives.

I am a student of the Bible. I spend my life dissecting and interpreting this story. I read it over and over. I teach it. I explain it. I preach it. I believe it. I doubt it.

Tonight I lived it.

Were you there?

I was, and I'll never be the same.