Here’s a repeat of a post I did back last summer called Back To Some Basics that I think bears repeating.David Richo has a BOOK
1) Everything changes and ends,
2) Things do not always go according to plan,
3) Life is not always fair,
4) Pain is part of life,
5) People are not loving and loyal all the time.
I so appreciate these points. They are a sobering tonic in the face of all the syrupy platitudes that seem to abound today, especially in Western Christianity. Many refuse to go here. In the words of Jack Nicholson, “we can’t handle the truth!” But we must go here to get to the joy we all desire. Karen Armstrong asserts:
“All this world’s faiths put suffering at the top of their agenda, because it is an inescapable fact of human life, and unless you see things as they really are, you cannot live correctly†(The Spiral Staircase, p. 272).
I truly believe that this is where we need to begin. Back to the basics!
The fine art photograph is the creation of my friend Jorgen Klausen.
Contributions to nakedpastor are greatly appreciated.
I believe that the church as an organization is a part of creation and is just as susceptible to the principalities and powers as any other human institution. When we elevate the church to an ideal that is to be achieved, a goal to be reached, an image to attain, then it is immediately in danger of becoming possessed with a spirit, especially its own. And when it becomes so self-possessed, then the abuse of humanity, though sometimes subtle, can become demonic in proportions.
We can see this happening in concrete ways. For instance, we can be sitting around with our friends in our home, gathered around the fire, listening to Norah Jones in the background, drinking a fine Shiraz wine, laughing and talking about whatever. We could achieve an incredible level of authenticity and honesty, sharing with each other how difficult life is, how much suffering there is in the world, how absent God seems, how weak our faith, and how hopeless everything feels. At the same time, we can say, “But I know God promised to be with us. We have each other, and I’m thankful for our friendship. I love you!”
Then we go to church and everything changes. We take on the spirit of the church. We become possessed by it, and we are suddenly very religious, which manifests itself in excuses, self-justification, empty assertions, arrogance, pat answers, aggression against doubt, and fruitless faith claims. It’s curious how unrighteous we can be out there, but once we get within the walls of a church, we become something we are certainly not: righteous. We carry around a dead, false self that we think looks good and impressive to others and bring it out when it’s best to do so: when there are other people possessed by the religious spirit around who will congratulate us, affirm us, and allow us to keep our membership!
The appropriate fine art photograph is the creation of my friend Mark Hemmings. One of my personal favorites, taken of a theater production in Budapest.
Contributions to nakedpastor are greatly appreciated.
One of the most difficult things for anybody to be is themselves. Just themselves. It takes a lifetime of hard work and courage to discover who we are and to settle down to be that person. And that’s if we are willing. As Carl Jung once wrote: “Live your life or be dragged!”
I try to encourage people to be authentically themselves. You might think that this would be a wonderful idea that would attract people, because we assume people love authenticity. We don’t. We prefer pretense and masks, not only in ourselves but in others. Authenticity is very ugly and chaotic before it gets beautiful and serene. I know, because I see this in my own life and in the life of our community. The first step, being authentic ourselves, is the first hurtle that most people don’t clear. The next hurtle is loving authenticity in others. This is where the rest opt out.
This doesn’t only apply to the people out there, but to me also, the pastor. I try to be authentically me. When I first made this dangerous decision about 10 years ago, I think this was one thing that contributed to the church split that nearly leveled our church. I wouldn’t go back, even for job-security. I read this in Barth years ago that applies:
It is as the persons they are that preachers are called to this task, as these specific people with their own characteristics and histories. It is as the persons they are that they have been selected and called. This is what is meant by originality. Pastors are not to adopt a role. They are not to slip into the clothing of biblical characters. That would be the worst kind of comedy. They are not to be Luthers, churchmen, prophets, visionaries, or the like. They are simply to be themselves, and to expound the text as such. Preaching is the responsible word of a person of our own time. Having heard myself, I am called upon to pass on what I have heard. Even as ministers, it matters that these persons be what they are. They must not put on a character or a robe. They do not have to play a role. It is you who have been commissioned, you, just as you are, not as minister, as pastor or theologian, not under any concealment or cover, but you yourself have simply to discharge this commission.
The painting is the creation of my friend Tina Newlove.
Contributions to nakedpastor are greatly appreciated.
I went to a conference this weekend. It was on ministry to the poor. It was okay. I always dread going to these things and my conclusions about such events are usually critical. But I really enjoy the chats I have with other people. The public demeanor is usually up, positive, triumphal, success-oriented, purposeful, driven, chock-full of advice and hope-filled dreams of future possibilities. Because this is what conferences are supposed to be like I suppose. But when I meet with people one on one, I am overwhelmed by the level of struggle, suffering and sadness they live under. We all come with our separate baggage, agendas and expectations, but seldom do we meet face to face to admit our own poverty and hopelessness. I am convinced that just as an individual must be brutally honest with him- or herself, and from there grows love and right action, so must a community. Surely we must’ve learned by now that the way we’ve gone about it in the past hasn’t worked. We are worse off than ever before. And I am sure that tweaking the system and our efforts will change nothing. There is a better way, the only way, and that is the radical transformation of me. Of you. And this will only begin if we stop and take an honest look at ourselves.The fine art photograph is taken by my friend, Mark Hemmings.
With my tongue in my cheek, I put together this list of how to be more you. Hope they help!
- First of all, admit you are not you: unless of course you are. Then skip this whole thing.
- Get introduced: you can’t become yourself until you know who the real you is. Hardest part!
- Like what you see. No matter how repugnant or glorious the real you seems to you, you’re stuck with you, and that’s the real thing.
- Murder the masks: Detect the masks and say bye-bye to them. Shed no tears. Their death is feigned because they are phantoms.
- Don’t be dissuaded: Even those closest to you may rebel against your transformation. “I liked the old you!” “Too bad! Buried him yesterday.”
- Forgive all those who assembled and affirmed the false you for you, including you. They didn’t mean it, unless they did.
- Use every tool at your disposal to get this job done: dreams, intuitions, heart and brain. Especially your brain. This isn’t a hobby! It is 99% demolition work.
- Don’t get all snobby-spiritual about it. This is every person’s project, as naturally necessary as birth.
- However, you are transformed by the re-creation of your mind. The Spirit can help.
- Fly solo: I can’t help you! You have to do this alone.
That’s it! Light-hearted, but I think these points are important. So, get to it, and I’ll see the real you later.
The fine art photograph is the creation of my friend, Mark Hemmings, and it is from his Mannequins series.
Contributions to nakedpastor are greatly appreciated.
Krishnamurti wrote:
Contributions to nakedpastor are greatly appreciated.Can this mind negate everything it has known, the total content of its own conscious and unconscious self, which is the very essence of yourself? Can you negate yourself completely?… Can you die now to everything you know and not wait for tomorrow to die? This freedomi in eternity and ecstasy and love.
Krishnamurti:
Contributions to nakedpastor are greatly appreciated.You go only so far in your self-criticism. The very entity that criticises must be criticised, must be examined!
David Hayward is a pastor artistically stripping to the essential.
