SoulWow: Problematic or Genius?

So in my morning travels around the internet newspaper sights of Minnesota I happened upon an article which pointed me to the SoulWow. It appears that the Roman Catholic Church of Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island got creative and created a "spoof" commercial based on the "ShamWow" commercials of infamy.

Here it is in all its glory:



Now, I have to admit I am struggling with this one. Is it a genius communication move to encourage followers to practice the sacrament of Confession? Is it problematic because in essence it leads to the commodification of the sacrament?

On the one hand, I applaud these Roman Catholic Churches for coming together and trying to think of a creative way to reach out to people. However, I have to ask at what cost? I find it problematic that the sacrament is changed into a commodity to be consumed. The message is this: We have product A. Product A can do this for you. Come and get/do/receive product A. Maybe it is my ultra-sensitivity to language and communication, but for me to use this mode of communication is to take something that is sacred ,and something that points to another way of being, and change it into nothing more than a product that needs to be consumed (albeit at a cost of nothing). Shouldn't the focus of the sacrament be on something other than the "benefits" that come from the "product" and if this is granted, then to use this avenue of communication is highly problematic.

For those of us who are protestant and might not struggle as much with it because of our understanding of confession (and not viewing it as a sacrament), how would you feel if this commercial were about the Sacrament of Holy Communion (Eucharist)? To me if this commercial isn't problematic, then why aren't we communicating to the world the "benefits" of consuming the Eucharist? I mean if it gets more people participating in the life of the church then that is a good thing right? (Please note my sarcasm)

Perhaps I am just ultra-sensitive to marketing, etc. I would love to hear what other people think?

***NOTE: Please do not attack the Roman Catholic Church in your responses. This post is not meant to be an attack on a certain part of the Body of Christ, but rather a reflective piece on an issue. For anyone who may be quick to criticize this incident, I would encourage you to think about your own denomination/situation and ways that "commodification" of church/faith occurs. We, Methodist, struggle with the same issue in my opinion when we "market" ourselves....but that is another post for another day. (Due note their is a difference between marketing-appealing to a consumer based mentality- and invitation)

Book Review: Being Consumed

Okay here is the issue: I have a huge stack of books sitting throughout various locations in my daily life (my office desk, my night-stand, a dresser drawer, my backpack, the basement floor, etc.) and I have wanted to read each one. However, when I get busy with the everyday life of being a pastor it often means I choose to "vegetate" by watching the DV-R episode of CSI: New York instead of reading. However, the pile has grown to massive (thanks to Christmas gifts, etc.) and now I want to start winnowing it down. So I have decided that I needed an "external" motivation to help me get through the stack and thought that a weekly (okay I will be honest, semi-weekly to monthly) book review would be a good motivating factor to get through the pile. So various readers who happen upon this site, enjoy the first installment.

Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Desire by William T. Cavanaugh

Quick Summation:
Cavanaugh makes the claim that "desire" is at the root of both economics and Christianity. In essence "to desire" is to be human (which he points out by drawing upon Augustine). Cavanaugh throughout the book details the competing "narratives of desire" held by economics (market, capitalism, "free" market, etc.) and Christianity. It all boils down to this. Economics is a system based upon the "limitless" desire of individuals and seeks to guide those desires in a way that benefits the whole (or at least in theory it promises to). This desire is satisfied and driven by the consumer and consumption. However, Cavanaugh contends that this desire has no "telos" or end upon which it is predicated which makes it fundamentally a different narrative of desire than that of Christianity. Cavanaugh argues throughout the book that "limitless desire" is not met until it finds its eternal resting place which is God. Basically, Cavanaugh gives a theological recap of Christian desire and then frames that in an argument that points to a different economy, "God's economy," and what that could look like.

Readability and Time Requirement:
The book is an easy read. Complicated "theological" terms and "economic" terms are explained so that one does not need an advance degree in either field to understand the subject matter. The book should be engaging to all whether clergy or laity. The book is also a quick read (100 pages), which can be both a blessing and a curse. It is a blessing because it sparks insights and questions that can help a person down a path to discovery of new ways of thinking about economics and the intersection of this field with theology. However, it also can be a curse because those who desire more in depth analysis and explanation will have to turn to others for further detail (of course this can be done by looking at the footnotes and creating an extensive list of readings).

The Added Bonus:
In each of the four chapters, Cavanaugh gives concrete examples of a "God's Economy" being done in practice. From Fair-Trade Coffee to Church Supported Agriculture. These examples are wonderful because they allow the reader to see how "theory" is already in practice. (Most of the examples I had heard about in some form or another, but others I had no idea existed. These examples actually made me long for an extensive narrative account of more of these practices and how they are accomplished, etc.)

Notable Quotes:
"The key question in every transaction is whether or not the transaction contributes to the flourishing of each person involved, and this question can only be judged, from a theological point of view, according to the end of human life, which is participation in the life of God." (page viii)

"Humans need a community of virtue in which to learn to desire rightly." (page 9)

"The key to true freedom is not just following whatever desires we happen to have, but cultivating the right desires." (page 11)

"In 1980 the average CEO made 42 times what the average production worker made; by 1999 that ratio had risen to 475 to 1, and it continues to rise." (pages 20-21)

"As Aquinas says, we should regard property as a gift from God, a gift that is only valid if we use it for the benefit of others." (page 29)

"From a Christian point of view, the churches should take an active role in fostering economic practices that are consonant with the true ends of creation. This requires promoting economic practices that maintain close connections among capital, labor, and communities, so that real communal discernment of the good can take place." (page 32)

"We are, nevertheless, invited to participate in the Trinitarian life through Christ and the work of the Spirit. But in order to do so, we cannot grasp, we can only submit. We cannot stand back from the world and survey it; we must simply take our role in the drama that God is staging and give ourselves to it." (page 81)

"If in consuming the Eucharist we become the body of Christ, then we are called, in turn, to offer ourselves to be consumed by the world." (page 84)

"Economics will always be the science of scarcity as long as individuals continue to want. And we are told that human desires are endless . . . The solution to the restlessness of desire is to cultivate desire for God, the Eternal, in whom our hearts will find rest." (page 90)

Conclusion:

Published in March of 2008, this book is a must read in our current economic situation. Cavanaugh gives a compelling case for a counter-narrative to current economic understanding. If anything it will spark questions and a desire to possibly see economics in a new way.

Modern Day Theologians: Death Cab For Cutie

Back in 1999 or 2000 (I can't remember the exact time) Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church, came to Northwestern College (IA) to speak at chapel. My resident director, Michael Wooten, was the one who went and picked him up from the airport which meant that those interested from our dorm would have the opportunity to have a conversation with Mark in our RD's apartment. While theologically I am rather different from Mark Driscoll, one thing that he said continues to stick out in my mind. Driscoll made the claim that today's theologians are in places we would expect he said they were the directors of movies, the musicians, etc. (specifically he mentioned Quentin Tarantino, etc.) It really made me think about how much the Church can miss when it creates its own sub-culture in order to protect it from the "evils of the secular world."

Now I know as a Methodist this isn't as big of an issue as it was in my world of Evangelicalism growing up, but I thought it might be fun to write from time to time about those songs or movies that make me really realize that God moves freely inside and outside the church.

Today, I give you the first installment: Death Cab For Cutie

One song of theirs in particular touched me deeply and got me reflecting. The following are the lyrics to “I Will Possess Your Heart” from their album Narrow Stairs:

How I wish you could see the potential
The potential of you and me
It’s like a book elegantly bound
But in a language that you can’t read just yet

You gotta spend some time, love
You gotta spend some time with me
And I know that you’ll find love
I will possess your heart

You gotta spend…

There are days when outside your window
I see my reflection as I slowly pass
And I long for this mirrored perspective
When we’ll be lovers, lovers at last

You gotta spend…

You gotta spend…

I will possess your heart
I will possess your heart

You reject my advances and desperate pleas
I won’t let you let me down so easily
So easily

You gotta spend…

You gotta spend…

I will possess your heart
I will possess your heart

As I listened to the song I couldn't help but imagine it as a song written by God and sung out to humanity. Perhaps it is because I can identify as the one who is being sung to, but really it seems so fitting. How many of us fail to see the potential of our lives because we fail to see what our lives could be if they were rooted in relationship with God? I can imagine God watching us and seeing God's own reflection in us as God's creation and just longing for us to fully display that image. How many of us have rejected God's advances towards us and fail to hear God's pleas?

I can imagine God calling out to us and saying "I won't let you let me down so easily" and calling for us to spend more time with God. That is what the song is about for me: Spending time with God. It plays out that meta-narrative of God pursuing humanity. God seeing humanity for its limitless potential and never giving up and the counter story of humanity continually ignoring God or failing to understand what life could be if it were possessed by God because we fail to spend time with God.

Let's think about that....

There are 168 hours in a week. If we factor out time spent sleeping (saying we should get around 8 hours of sleep a night) that brings us down to 112 hours of time awake available. Now if we factor out time spent working (in my case that time is often consumed by time spent with God or in service to God) 40-60 hours (working + traveling time, etc.) That leaves us with at least 52 hours of open time and subtracting time eating (1.5 hrs/day) that leaves us with 41.5 hours free total.

So how much of that 41.5 hours do we spend with God? How many of those hours do we spend in communion with fictional characters on T.V. (as a T.V. addict trying to winnow this down I have to admit I spend 20-30 hours watching T.V.....of course I only sleep about 5 hours a day too)? How much time do we spend doing something other than spending it with God? I can only imagine God singing this song out to us just pleading for us to spend more time with God knowing that if we did God would begin to transform our heart and take possession of it.

I wrote about this song in my pastoral letter for our church newsletter and challenged the people of the church to keep the question: How much time do you spend with God? in their heart over this Lenten season and I challenge anyone who happens upon this post to do the same.

I would love to hear anyone else's thoughts on the song, Death Cab For Cutie, or anything else that may be stirred up by this post.

God Bless.

Economic Crisis: Jesus' Parable Comes to Life

I am often amazed at how the narrative of Holy Scriptures can come to life and play out in our everyday lives. There is the meaning the passage had in its original context, but yet there is something more. Scripture has a "liveliness" to it that opens it up to other contexts conveying a message of truth. I haven't really commented on our current economic crisis. However, even though I haven't commented on it, the wheels in my mind have been turning for months now. How did we get here and how do we go forward? (Those are questions I cannot fully answer and the truth I believe is that all of us were part of the problem and all of us are going to be part of the solution.....)

One thing that has captured my attention in the past week is the continued news of how Credit Card Companies (i.e. the Banks that own them) have been raising their interest rates rather drastically (some people have gone from 9% to 18% others from 11% to 25%, etc.). As I was pondering this reality last night one of Jesus' Parables seemed rather fitting.

Matthew 18:23-35 (NRSV)

(23) "For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. (24) When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; (25) and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. (26) So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' (27) And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. (28) But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' (29) The his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' (30) But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. (31) When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. (32) The his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all the debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you? (34) And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. (35) So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

As I thought about this parable, I could not help but think of the "government" as the lord and the banking system as the first slave with the individual with credit card debt being the second slave. The government saved the banking industry from its own calamity by offering it a bailout. All this was done to help ward off an economic recession for the benefit of all the people (and really this is worldwide because if the US banking system collapsed the inter-connectedness of the world would lead to a worldwide depression). What have the banks done with this second chance?

Well the good thing is they have at least started to lend a little more to one another and I hope they are getting rid of those "toxic" notes that they thought were wonderful money makers. However, as the economic downturn has started to hit the average household more and more with people losing their jobs, being laid off, or having their hours cut back. Budgets are getting tighter and tighter. Now to be fair many households lived well outside their means and purchased that lifestyle with "credit" thinking they could pay it off later (instant satisfaction!)---of course banks did some of the same style thing when they took on risky and now "toxic" loans thinking they could make some quick money. Many Americans just were not being financially responsible and now they are facing tough situations.

However, the banks (credit card companies) that have just had help from the government to stay afloat are not acting in the same way toward the individual who had debt with them. Rather than asking how can we help you to stay afloat and return to economic viability (i.e. negotiating lower interest rates, etc.), the credit card companies (banks) are trying to get all that they can squeeze out of this cash cow of theirs. The message is clear: "Yeah we got help to stay afloat, but that is because we are important, you though are not important Mr. or Mrs. individual and because of that you need to pay us more to carry your risk. Nevermind that we had help. We don't care."

What would it look like if a credit card company (bank) said this: "We realize that times are tough for everyone now and we want to help you get back on your feet like we were helped. Here is what we are going to do. The current balance you have isn't going to be forgiven, but we can freeze it at a 3.9% APR. All we ask is that you don't use your credit card at all until that balance is paid in full. However, if you do use the card we then reserve the right to raise your interest rate up to prime + 10% (or whatever they choose). We were helped and now we want to help you."

Which one do you think would help stimulate the overall economy more? (Here is where I wish I had an economist reading this blog to theorize and comment) The way the credit card companies are currently operating seems to be the biggest hypocritical stance ever. They were saved and yet there is no mercy on their part towards their "customers." And what can happen from their current stance?

1. They make more money (granted this is to offset a rising default rate)
2. The consumer (individual) is now using more of their income to pay credit cards (minimum due rises due to interest rate increase) and less on the purchase of goods/products/services.
3. The rate of default increases even more (if people are defaulting at the lower rates it stands to reason that those who may be "scraping" by at those rates are going to be pressed into a default stance with the raised interest rates and minimum payments).

Now I know that statistical analysis, etc. was used and I am sure the interest rate increase was determined to maximize their profitability while accounting for a raised rate of defaults. I get that. However, just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be done. The individual they are now taking more money from is also the individual whose taxes (current and future taxes) helped bail out the banking system.

I can't help but feel that the more and more the banking system looks out for itself (specifically pointing to those dealing with credit cards, etc.) the more and more it has a negative impact on the overall economic outlook. If it truly is going to take all of us to bounce back from this economic downturn, then banks are going to have to think about how they can help the great mass of individuals help the economy also. It isn't that somebody is "right" and somebody is "wrong," but rather it is we are all culpable for the situation we find ourselves in and we have to work together to get us out and that means sacrifice on all levels.

What would the world look like if the players in the economy actually started to live into the parable Jesus shared? How radical would the world become? Would it be viable?

A Meditative Prayer (Personal)

Dear God,

The problem with being a pastor is that often people think I know all the answers when it comes to faith because of the position I hold.

But I don't have all the answers and am still on a journey of discovery.

The problem with being young is that often people think I do not understand the world around me because of my lack of earthly existence.

But I have witnessed and experienced things that stretch beyond my years.

The problem with being me is that often I find myself existing in the identifications others put upon me and I lose You, My God, the One who lives in and through me.  The One who formed me and molds me.  I lose my true identity in You.

Come Holy Spirit.  Guide me.  Transform me.  Identify me.  Amen.

The Clergy Collar: A Story

So about 15.5 months ago I became the pastor at Chatfield United Methodist Church. One of the questions I kept asking myself coming into the placement was this: What am I going to wear?

I am a jeans and t-shirt guy. Always have been from a child on (okay actually up until about 6th grade I hated jeans...I wanted to only wear sweatpants and well Zubaz when they were popular...but never jeans). Well most every pastor I met "dressed up" for work (usually that meant slacks and a dress shirt...sometimes including a tie), did that mean I had to also? I mean seriously there is one thing I cannot stand doing: coordinating my outfits. (1) I stink at it (2) It takes too much time and effort and well money. Enter my solution: The Clergy Shirt with Clergy Collar!

Buy 5 shirts make sure you have the tabs and you are ready to go. Roughly a $175 investment and problem is solved. Black goes with everything and well everyone will know I am a pastor then (which by the way when you are young like me in a town like me....trust me....people say "you are too young to be a pastor"). Well I started out wearing slacks and the clergy shirt everyday, but eventually I found that even to take more time than I liked. Jeans and a t-shirt were just easy and well that is who I am. I am practical and I like comfort!

Well now fast-forward to this past week. On Wednesday I was going to visit a member of the church who was in the hospital. Well in Rochester at St. Mary's, clergy can park in the ramp for free. We just have to write our name and the church on the parking ticket and turn it in as we exit. Well usually when I go to the hospital I dress up so I at least look like a pastor (although there have been times where an emergency visit arose and I just went in my usual t-shirt and jeans). I dress up because I don't want to be hassled as I leave the parking garage (even though I never have been hassled....funny how that sometimes plays into our minds). Well I didn't want to be hassled that day and so I decided to put on the clergy shirt and head up to Rochester. I pulled in and the garage was full....30 minute parking for me....and so I headed up to the hospital room. I got into the elevator and was accompanied by a hospital worker with a load of laundry and a lady holding a coffee cup. That lady and I got off on the same floor and headed in the same direction (I was focusing on trying to find where room 297 was....if it was left or if it was right). The lady spoke up: "You wouldn't happen to be going to room 310 are you?" I replied: "Nope. Room 297." (Yeah as in introvert I kind of just directly answer questions sometimes and don't open the conversation up) The lady replied: "Well if you have time could you stop by?" I replied: "Sure. Room 310. I have to visit a member of my church first but I will stop by before I leave." (as in introvert this is my nightmare.....strangers....needed help....looking for answers....good news is I have gotten better at getting over that initial fear I get inside).

Well I go visit the person I came to see and then I say I need to go and stop in and see someone who asked for me before my parking runs out and I headed off. Down the hall to room 310. I opened the door and there was the lady from the elevator and an older lady on the hospital bed. I said "Hi" and I introduced myself (Pastor Justin Halberma)....well to simplify the rest of the story. They were Roman Catholic and the younger lady (the daughter) had thought I was a priest (because of the collar). They were wonderful people and Fran (that was the mother's name) was at the Mayo because something irregular had shown up on here EKG and so they wanted her to go down to the Mayo (she is from Babbit, MN). At the time I visited they were waiting to hear if she needed to have a pacemaker put in. I let them know where the chaplain offices were if they wanted a priest (or needed one later since I was going up to the Cities for a meeting the next morning) but also gave them my information if they needed anything. I said a prayer with them and wished them well.

I went back the next day to see if everything turned out okay (on my way back from my meeting), and they had. They thanked me for my prayers and we had some further conversations and I wished them safe travels the next day and let them know that when they are back in Rochester they can feel free to call me at anytime.

It was a blessing....and reflecting (because that is what I do..I reflect in my head all the time) in the car on the way to my in-laws on Friday it hit me. I wore that collar just so I didn't have to deal with a hassle (a hassle that has never occured) and yet God was at work in that to connect Fran and her daughter to me so that God could speak to them in a moment of need. That is a powerful thing to realize, that God uses our ridiculous notions and flips them to reach out to someone in need.

(And for your information I am wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt (Duke) today.....that is just who I am)

Not Easy

You would think that writing your own call narrative would be an easy thing.  However, as I sit in front of my computer right now trying to get this written for what seems like the 20,000 time, I stare with a blank face and a blank mind.

I just cannot bring myself to just copy an earlier narrative or even paste parts of an earlier narrative because my current context in life makes everything seem so different.  New parts stand out.  An event I didn't realize in my first account, now sits fresh in my mind as a major point within my call and continuing call narrative.  Life is so complex and one's call is just as complex.

It is at times like these that I wish my mind was like a computer disk that just stored stuff in a static format, but I guess that wouldn't be much fun now would it.