Today I had lunch with 2 of my fellow clergy people in town. A complaint that I heard was that people in my generational range don't just accept theological concepts anymore (virgin birth, Jesus as fully human and fully divine, heaven vs. hell, etc). These 2 folks are older than I am but we all struggle with congregations that are dying rather than growing. I believe that this comment has more to do with the frustration clergy feel about each week seeing that the numbers aren't going up and the pews look more empty than ever than with my actual generation's view on theology.
However this is an important comment to pay attention too. My generation today no longer has to rely on the educated few to impart theological information to the mass. You have a question or want to know why we say or do something, you are just 1 Google search away from having multiple sources available to you to find an answer. If you read more than 1 of the Google search results you may even find that people disagree about a lot of theology and that maybe what you were taught, generally by well meaning folks, was exactly the best education you could have gotten.
I see this as a call to the Church, universal, to be more honest and open with it's theology. As a clergy person who struggled (I took historical theology twice and still didn't get it all that well) in seminary to learn and keep straight various different thoughts of theology, it is more important more than ever that we be prepared to say "I'm not sure" or "I don't know, but lets go look it up in this trusted source." Some folks learn by asking questions. Dismissing their questions as an unwillingness to learn or appreciate a historical view of theology can be seen as a dismal of the person.
I see that if the Church can find ways to have open discussion with those who want to seek and question instead of jumping straight into something than maybe congregations will grow. Maybe questioning shouldn't be vilified in the Church but instead looked upon as an opportunity to develop relationships with each other and to walk with folks on their faith journey where they are.
Last night I had dinner at a restaurant I eat at at least twice a month. Usually I'm in a group but I was by myself. It's not often that I have time by myself right now so I welcomed the time to sit and eat food someone else cooked. I sat in the booth by myself and kept to myself. I had a book with me and my palm labyrinth so I was entertained and felt like it would be a productive time to self and with my self. But the comments from the trio of ladies across from me was anything less then pleasant. Now if you don't know me let me be clear, I am a big lady. I believe the clinical definition of my size would be morbidly obese. I am aware that I take up more physical space then I should. I don't fit into every booth in a restaurant. Believe it or not I do own a mirror and do use it even though I don't enjoy it. I am also aware that I am my size by my own doing and no one else's. I do not expect the world to accommodate me for being this way. If you want me to p...
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